Read more about the Trojans’ upset at our USC blog, Conquest Chronicles, and our Tennessee blog, Rocky Top Talk.
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – Alex Stepheson poured in 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, as the USC Trojans crushed the ninth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, 77-55, in a non-conference clash at the Galen Center.
USC 77, No. 8 Tennessee 55: Stepheson Racks Up 19 Points, 15 Rebounds In Upset
Dwight Lewis added 21 points for the Trojans (5-4), who have won three in a row. Nikola Vucevic scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while Mike Gerrity chipped in 12 points and 10 assists for Southern California, which shot 56.1 percent from the field.
Scotty Hopson tallied 16 points for the Volunteers (8-2), who had a four-game win streak snapped. Melvin Goins ended with 10 points for Tennessee, which shot just 34.5 percent from the floor.
After the Volunteers made the first basket of the game, USC ripped off eight straight points. Lewis’ trey capped the spurt just five minutes in.
Tennessee scored seven consecutive points moments later to take a 12-11 edge with less than eight minutes remaining.
With the score tied at 19 with less than 4 1/2 minutes left, the Trojans finished the half on a 14-1 run. Marcus Johnson tallied nine points during the stretch, which Marcus Simmons ended with a layup to make it 33-20.
The Trojans took control early in the second half, starting the frame on a small 7-2 flurry. Vucevic’s layup made it a 40-22 game just three minutes in.
Ahead, 54-40, midway through the period, USC ripped off 10 straight points to build a 24-point lead with less than seven minutes to play.
The Volunteers never got closer than 20 the rest of the way.
Tennessee owns a 4-2 series advantage over USC…The Volunteers were making their first trip to the West Coast since they beat Gonzaga in Seattle, Washington on December 29, 2007.
- Via Sports Network.
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