To start Pac-12 play on Thursday night, Oregon defeated USC 82-74 behind a season-high 21 points from rookie Jackson Shelstad and a career-high 22 points from Kwame Evans Jr. with eight rebounds and five steals.
Oregon took an early 12-2 lead and went on to dominate the first half, leading 42-25 at the half. Brennan Rigsby’s 3-pointer with 3:04 left gave the Ducks a 36–18 lead after they had made six of their previous seven field goals. After missing ten field goals and making just five of its first twenty, USC gave up 10 points in the first 17 minutes. After halftime, the Ducks had made six 3-pointers, while USC had only made seven field goals.
During a 12-3 run in the first three minutes of the second half, Boogie Ellis, who had only two points on 1-of-7 shooting in the first half, made two 3-pointers to pull USC within 45-37.
With 38.1 seconds remaining in the second half, Ellis made a 3-pointer to bring the Trojans as close as four points, 78-74. However, they failed to make 3-pointers on their subsequent two possessions, and in the final 33 seconds, Kario Oquendo made four consecutive free throws to seal the victory for Oregon.
Oregon (9-3), which has won 11 of its last 12 games at home, was led by Oquendo, who finished with 15 points, and Jermaine Couisnard, who added 13.
For USC (6-6), DJ Rodman and Joshua Morgan each scored 14 points. Ellis contributed 11 points apiece, averaging 19.5 points per game, and Isaiah Collier, who scored 16.1. In 14 minutes, Bronny James finished with five points and four fouls.