For many of Monday evening, USC performed precisely like a staff with 13 new gamers.
Coach Eric Musselman’s preseason issues in regards to the Trojans’ offense possible weren’t abated after USC struggled within the first half of its season opener in opposition to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at Galen Heart.
Cal Poly, a mid-major coming off a 16-19 season, wouldn’t let USC run away with the sport, with the Trojans clinging to a six-point lead at halftime.
However then sophomore ahead Jacob Cofie — considered one of 10 switch portal additions — got here alive within the second half, notching a 23-point double-double because the Trojans pulled away for a snug 94-64 win.
Cofie completed with 23 factors, 10 rebounds and three blocks and Ezra Ausar added 21 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists. Rodney Rice had 21 factors and eight assists for the Trojans.
Virginia switch Cofie had simply 4 factors within the first half as Rice and Jaden Brownell led the cost throughout a primary half the Trojans appeared to sleepwalk via at instances.
Regardless of forcing 10 Mustang turnovers within the first half, USC solely scored eight factors off of them. This was exacerbated early on when Cal Poly turned it over 5 instances inside the first three minutes, however the Trojans solely made considered one of their first six makes an attempt (16.7%) from the sphere within the opening minutes.
The offense appeared to get up when Brownell and Jerry Easter II acquired two fast-break layups off of two extra Cal Poly turnovers. Brownell drained a 3 on the following possession, and Cofie dunked to cap off the run and provides the Trojans their first double-digit lead of the sport.
However USC would go chilly once more within the last stretch of the half, going the ultimate 4 minutes with out scoring till Rice hit a mid-range jumper from the elbow with 34 seconds left.
Cofie instantly set the tone within the second half with a steal, offensive rebound and tip-in dunk to begin the scoring inside the first 30 seconds. He completed the sport making every of his last 4 photographs, ending issues off by slamming yet another down with 41 seconds left.
