Stanford stuns USC 64-61 for first season sweep of Trojans since 2015
Twice is nice.
On the road Thursday night, Stanford did it again. It took down USC in thrilling fashion, 64-61, to secure the program’s first season sweep of the Trojans since 2015 and its first road win against an AP Top 25 opponent since Jerod Haase took over the program in 2017.
USC had a chance at the end.
After going just shy of seven minutes without making a shot from the field, the 15th-ranked Trojans had tied the game at 60-all thanks to five quick points in a minute. With 55 seconds to go, it just needed a stop.
But USC forward Chevez Goodwin couldn’t keep Stanford freshman Harrison Ingram in front of him. He dropped a little too deep under a screen from the top of the key, giving Ingram a step, and then slipped as he tried to keep stride with Ingram driving to the basket.
Thirty-three seconds left, down two, timeout called, plan drawn up.
First it was guard Boogie Ellis trying to get something working going to his left but Stanford played it well. USC showed patience, backed the ball out and reset. He passed up to forward Isaiah Mobley, who tried the same, iso’d near the block, and turned over his left shoulder for what was a pretty solid-percentage hook shot down low.
It careened off the rim and then a few sets of bodies before landing back in Mobley’s hands as the standout forward drew a foul and stepped to the free throw line for a one-and-one to tie the game.
He drilled the first.
Not so lucky on the second.
Stanford’s Brandon Angel knocked down both his free throws on the ensuing possession as USC fouled to prolong the game. Though still just a one-possession game, USC wasn’t able to get a quality look on its final shot; Mobley settled for a contested step-back 3 from the left wing that was just a touch off.
After beating the Trojans 75-69 on Jan. 11 at home, Stanford wrapped up the season sweep. Forward Jaiden Delaire led the way offensively with 14 points. Ingram added 12 points and five assists while forward Spencer Jones pitched in 10 points and five boards.
The Cardinal won the rebounding battle (29-27), outscored the Trojans in the paint (26-22), and forced 14 turnovers on 58 USC possessions.
USC got 14 points, seven boards, and four assists from Drew Peterson, who nailed the game-tying triple with 55 seconds left. Mobley nearly had a triple-double with nine points, nine assists, and seven rebounds but he struggled from the field (3-for-8, 1-for-4 from 3). Ellis was the only other Trojan to reach double-figures scoring.
The Trojans (17-3, 7-3 Pac-12) will look to get back on track Saturday when they host Cal. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. PT.
Stanford (12-6, 5-3 Pac-12) has won six of its last eight and has played itself into a curious spot. The Cardinal now have four Quad 1 wins on the season and still have both regular-season games against UCLA left on the schedule as well as road games against Oregon and Arizona. Perhaps there’s a tournament resume yet to be built.
They’l play the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. PT.