Rakocevic, Mathews rally Southern California past Washington

Nick Rakocevic and Jonah Maws realize this is ir last opportunity to get Sourn California back to NCAA tournament. With Trojans season showing signs of spiraling out of control, seniors came up big when needed to on Thursday night.

Rakocevic scored 19 points and Maws ded 16 as Trojans rallied for a 62-56 victory Washington and snapped a three-game losing streak.

“It’s getting real. Every game is important getting to March,” Maws said as Trojans are seeking ir first NCAA trip in three years.

USC (18-7, 7-5 Pac-12) trailed 30-25 at halftime and were down 42-35 midway through second half before going on a 16-4 run to take control. Maws scored eight points during run and Rakocevic ded four.

Trojans scored first seven points during run and held Washington scoreless for 7:10.

“We knew at halftime that we were going to have to win on defensive end. game is slower when you play Washington because y play zone,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “We h to manage our possessions.”

USC extended its le to 58-48 with 2:47 remaining. Huskies scored next five points but could not draw closer.

“Our offense became stagnant in second half. focus and rhythm slowed down. re wasn’t much movement and we missed easy shots,” Washington coach Mike Hopkins said. “We show flashes of really good and n flashes of what heck is going on? We need to eliminate those.”

Freshmen Jen McDaniels and Isaiah Stewart h double-doubles for Washington (12-13, 2-10), which has dropped six straight and nine of its last 10. McDaniels led way with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Stewart h a 13-11 night for his 10th double-double of season, which is second in conference.

USC was missing freshman Onyeka Okongwu, who is in concussion protocol. 6-foot-9 freshman is eighth in Pac-12 in scoring and tied for third in rebounding. y were also without freshman guard Kyle Sturdivant, who is back home in Georgia after his far passed away last week.

Trojans saw ir bench get shorter during game when guard Ethan Anderson suffered an ankle injury during second half.

“That’s our bror. We’re always going to be here for him. This win was for him and his family,” said Rakocevic of Sturdivant.

Huskies h a 30-25 le at halftime on strength of a 10-3 run late in first half. Washington held USC to 27.3% shooting in first 20 minutes.

IN RAFTERS

DeMar DeRozan, who has gone on to star for Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs, h his No. 10 retired by USC during halftime.

BIG PICTURE

Washington: After going 34 of 82 on 3-pointers during a three-game stretch in late January and early February, Huskies are 15 of 55 from beyond arc in ir last two, including 8 of 30 against USC.

USC: Trojans committed a season-low six turnovers after committing 24 in last Saturday’s loss at Arizona State.

UP NEXT

Washington: Travels to UCLA on Saturday night. Bruins won first meeting 66-64 on Jan. 2 in what was conference opener for both teams.

USC: Hosts Washington State on Saturday. Trojans have won seven straight in series, including a 65-56 victory on Jan. 2.