USC Sinks Mavericks With Late Rally, 82-72

Sunday, November 13

Los Angeles, Calif.

6:00 PM

Omaha

1-1

Southern California

2-0

Team	1	2	F
Omaha	37	35	72
USC	34	48	82

Stats Notes

USC Sinks Mavericks With Late Rally, 82-72

Nov 14, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Omaha Athletics

LOS ANGELES -- The Omaha men's basketball team led much of the game but was unable to stave off a late rally by USC Sunday evening, falling 82-72 at the Galen Center. The Mavericks are now 1-1 (0-0 Summit League) on the season, while the Trojans improve to 2-0 (0-0 Pac-12).

Senior guard Marcus Tyus put together a career performance, finishing with 33 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field with six 3-pointers. Junior forward Tre'Shawn Thurman notched his first double-double of the season with 20 points and a career-high-tying 14 rebounds in addition to three blocks and an assist.

Senior guard Tra-Deon Hollins dished out a team-leading six assists along with six rebounds, two steals and two points. Junior forward Daniel Meyer added six points, five boards and a pair of assists.

USC was led by 16 points from Shaqquan Aaron and a double-double from Chimezie Metu, who had 14 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. D'Anthony Melton (13 points), Jordan McLaughlin (12) and Elijah Stewart (11) also finished in double figures. Melton added another nine caroms, as USC held a 51-42 advantage on the glass.

Omaha led for 17:41 of the first half, sparked by a huge offensive effort from Tyus. He accounted for 17 of Omaha's 37 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-5 beyond the arc.

With three early Tyus triples, Omaha shot out to a 16-7 lead less than four minutes in. The Mavericks held the edge until a three by Melton tied it at 21-all at 9:47, but they quickly surged ahead again. Buckets by sophomore forward Mitch Hahn and sophomore guard Zach Jackson, plus a three-point play from Tyus, helped Omaha match its largest lead at 32-23 with 6:41 till the break.

USC then rallied again with an 11-1 run, as an Aaron 3-pointer tied it at 33-33 and a Charles Buggs free throw gave the lead back to the Trojans. Omaha, however, closed with two Thurman baskets, leaving Omaha with a 37-34 advantage at the half.

The Mavericks led by six early in the second stanza, as 3-pointers from Thurman and Tyus helped it to 43-37. Three consecutive dunks between Metu and Melton later spurred USC to stall the game at 49-49 with 11:17 left, but Thurman responded with a layup and a dunk for the Mavericks, who then led 53-49. But the Trojans tied it a final time at 53-all on an Aaron 3-pointer with 9:17 remaining, then went ahead, never relinquishing the lead.

The Mavericks managed to come within one at 58-57 with a Tyus three, then again at 60-59 with a tip-in from junior Daniel Meyer. USC, however, went on a 9-0 run to go up by 10 at 69-59. Though Omaha pulled within five twice after, the Trojans finished it off at a final score of 82-72.

Omaha returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 15, traveling to Kansas State. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan., and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Kansas City. Gary Sharp will have the radio call on 1180 Zone 2, and links to live audio, video and stats will be available on OMavs.com.