"For most of Monday night, USC played exactly like a team with 13 new players. Coach Eric Musselman's preseason concerns about the Trojans' offense likely were not abated after USC struggled in the first half of its season opener against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at Galen Center. Cal Poly, a mid-major coming off a 16-19 season, wouldn't let USC run away with the game, with the Trojans clinging to a six-point lead at halftime."
"But then sophomore forward Jacob Cofie - one of 10 transfer portal additions - came alive in the second half, notching a 23-point double-double as the Trojans pulled away for a comfortable 94-64 win. Cofie finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and Ezra Ausar added 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Rodney Rice had 21 points and eight assists for the Trojans."
"Despite forcing 10 Mustang turnovers in the first half, USC only scored eight points off of them. This was exacerbated early on when Cal Poly turned it over five times within the first three minutes, but the Trojans only made one of their first six attempts (16.7%) from the field in the opening minutes. The offense appeared to wake up when Brownell and Jerry Easter II got two fast-break layups off of two more Cal Poly turnovers."
USC struggled offensively early in its season opener against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, resembling a team with 13 new players. Cal Poly kept the game close, forcing turnovers but converting few points off them. USC led by six at halftime. Sophomore forward Jacob Cofie, a Virginia transfer and one of ten portal additions, dominated the second half with a 23-point double-double, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Ezra Ausar scored 21 points with six rebounds and four assists. Rodney Rice added 21 points and eight assists as USC pulled away to a 94-64 win.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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