No. 24 USC starts fast, cruises past Dixie State 98-71

Boogie Ellis scored 19 points and No. 24 USC opened a double-digit le less than three minutes into game, rolling to a 98-71 victory over Dixie State on Monday night.

Max Agbonkpolo scored a career-high 17 points and Isaiah Mobley ded 14 for Trojans (4-0). Chevez Goodwin h 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Ellis, in his first season at USC after two at Memphis, has averaged 17 points over first four games.

“se pieces have been toger for what feels like forever. So to be able to show it, game by game we’re getting closer toger,” Agbonkpolo said. “We’re going to play off each or much more as season goes on.”

Cameron Gooden and Frank Staine scored 17 each for Trailblazers (1-4), while Hunter Schofield ded 10 points and eight rebounds. Dixie State, which moved to Division I last season, was playing USC for first time.

Trojans got off to a fast start in ir second home game of season. A pair of 3-pointers from Ethan Anderson and Mobley gave m a 13-3 le just 2:54 in, and y increased it to 22-5 less than eight minutes in.

Dixie State held its own through remainder of first half, with USC taking a 47-36 vantage into halftime. Trailblazers were within single digits at 53-44 with 17:50 remaining before USC ran away.

“We me some defensive mistakes that are uncharacteristic with a lot of switching,” Trojans coach Andy Enfield said. “Just some silly defensive mistakes that we haven’t me, so we need to get better with that. I think our guys justed to finish game.”

Trojans pushed ir vantage beyond 20 for first time at 73-51 with 11:24 left on a three-point play by Agbonkpolo.

Anderson scored 13 points for USC, which shot 58.8% in first half and finished at 52.8%.

Dixie State shot just 31.6% from field and was outrebounded 52-38. Trailblazers did have 12 offensive rebounds to 11 for Trojans and committed only seven turnovers.

“We tried everything we could; we tried pressure, we tried zone, we tried everything,” Dixie State coach Jon Judkins said. “We me a run and h ball in second half down nine twice. re are definitely some things we learned and that’s why we wanted to play m. We know how good y are.”

BIG PICTURE

Dixie State: It was a challenging visit to Los Angeles area for Trailblazers, who lost two games at Cal State Northridge in Good Sam Empire Classic before falling to Trojans. A run of six consecutive home games is up next, with program’s second season in WAC set to start Dec. 30.

USC: Ellis is settling in nicely as a top scoring threat. AAC’s co-Sixth Man of Year last season has flourished in a starting role as USC looks to replace scoring output of standouts Evan Mobley and Tahj Edy.

UP NEXT

Dixie State: Returns home to face Weber State on Saturday.

USC: Opens Wooden Legacy in Anaheim on Thursday vs. Saint Joseph’s.