Did USC Trojans' Free Throws Seal the Deal Against Washington State Cougars?

The USC Trojans emerged victorious against the Washington State Cougars with a 68-61 win, improving their record to 1-0. The Cougars, on the other hand, now stand at 0-1. The game was held at the Galen Center in Los Angeles and drew an attendance of 5,394 fans.

First Half

The first half saw both teams battling for dominance. The Trojans took an early lead with a strong performance from Chad Baker-Mazara, who contributed significantly with his scoring and assists. His ability to find open teammates helped SC maintain their edge over Wazzu. Despite a solid defensive effort from the Cougs, who managed to secure 6 steals in total throughout the game, they trailed by 7 points at halftime.

Second Half

As play resumed in the second half, USC continued to capitalize on their free throw opportunities. With an impressive free throw percentage of 79 percent compared to WSU's 71 percent, this proved pivotal in maintaining their lead. Jacob Cofie stood out for SC with his tenacity on both ends of the court; he not only scored crucial points but also grabbed key rebounds that thwarted any comeback attempts by Wazzu.

Final Moments

In what went wrong for USC Trojans during some stretches was their struggle beyond the arc; they managed only one successful three-pointer out of thirteen attempts (8 percent). However, they compensated by dominating inside with points in paint totaling thirty-two compared to twenty-two from Washington State.

The game concluded without any major shifts as SC held onto their advantage till the end buzzer sounded off marking another victory under their belt this season.

Looking ahead after this exciting matchup between these two teams: fans can catch more action when USC hosts UTSA Roadrunners next week at Galen Center scheduled for December 17th at 9:00 PM EDT broadcasted live via BTN network!

For those interested in reliving key moments or analyzing tactical plays further - check out our detailed breakdown featuring all essential highlights including standout performances like Ezra Ausar’s contributions which were instrumental towards securing today’s result! Share your thoughts about "USC Trojans vs Washington State Cougars final score" and engage fellow enthusiasts online!