USC basketball: Trojans win eighth straight, beating Arizona State, 47-37

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Calling this a defensive struggle is like calling ocean wet.

USC won its eighth straight game Saturday night, topping Arizona State, 47-37.

The teams came into the game tied for third nationally in scoring defense (55.8 points allowed per game), so it wasn’t a major surprise that the Trojans and Sun Devils posted season-low point totals.

After the Trojans led, 23-16, at halftime, it seemed a stretch that either team would break 50.

The Trojans (10-4 overall, 2-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference) shot 36% from the field (15 for 42). The Sun Devils (10-5, 0-2) shot 24% (11 for 45).

An NBA scout got up to leave with three minutes left. ‘Nobody is getting any open shots,’ he said.

USC made just enough, again.

--Baxter Holmes