USC overcomes troublesome Grambling State for fifth win

Chibuzo Agbo scored 21 points and Josh Cohen added 18 points as Southern California fought off a tough trip from visiting Grambling State to the Trojans’ 80-69 win in Los Angeles on Sunday.

USC (5-1) traded the lead 20 times before opening up a 12-point lead midway through the second half on the strength of a 14-0 run. Agbo made two 3-pointers, part of a night in which he made 4 of 9 shots from beyond the arc during the surge.

Grambling (1-4) responded with a 13-3 run to push the Trojans’ lead back to just one possession. PJ Eason’s dunk with 4:36 left in regulation brought the Tigers within 68-66.

Desmond Claude answered with a layup at the other end, and Agbo forced a turnover on Grambling’s ensuing possession, setting up his own score at the rim. Four quick points by the Trojans kept USC in the cushion until the end.

Claude had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. A late-game swipe and transition lay-in from Mikale Stephenson helped USC shake out the game, ending its opening six-game homestand with two wins after losing to Cal Stephenson last Sunday.

Grambling led for more than 13 minutes of the game, taking a 38-37 lead into halftime, but the Tigers’ advantage never exceeded five points. Grambling tied USC in total field goals made, with 25 knockdowns and seven 3-pointers each.

Six of the seven Tigers scored came on at least one 3-pointer, led by Quintavious Dozier who made 2 of 3. Dozier scored a team-high 17 points and led the Tigers with three players in double figures. Stephenson had 14 points and 10 assists, and Antwan Barnett had 13 points.

USC’s ultimate advantage was at the free throw line. The Trojans got to the charity stripe on 33 attempts and made 23 of them, while Grambling made 12 of 14 at the line.

–Field level media