USC squashes Tulane in first round of Las Vegas tourney

Field Level Media|published: Wed 2nd April, 01:27 2025

NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament First Round-Rutgers vs USC

Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman calls out a play during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Rashaun Agee scored 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting and also collected nine rebounds and four blocked shots as Southern California rolled to a convincing 89-60 victory over Tulane on Tuesday night in the first round of the College Basketball Crown tourney in Las Vegas.

Saint Thomas recorded 14 points, nine assists and three steals for the Trojans (17-17), who never trailed. Clark Slajchert added 10 points.

USC will face Villanova in Thursday's quarterfinals. The Wildcats routed Colorado 85-64 in their first-round contest on Tuesday.

Asher Woods scored 18 points for Tulane (19-15), which was outscored 50-36 in the second half. Rowan Brumbaugh had 11 points, seven assists and three steals, Greg Glenn III had 10 points and three steals and Tyler Ringgold also scored 10 points.

Both teams played without two starters. USC's Wesley Yates III (foot) and Chibuzo Agbo (unknown) sat out, while the Green Wave's Kaleb Banks and Kam Williams entered the transfer portal. Williams committed to Kentucky, Banks hasn't announced a destination.

Making matters worse for the Green Wave is that the two players who moved into the starting lineup -- Percy Daniels and Ringgold -- each picked up four fouls in the first half.

USC shot a torrid 63.6 percent from the field, including 9 of 18 from 3-point range. The Trojans held a 39-26 rebounding edge and had a 50-24 advantage in points in the paint.

The Green Wave made just 33.9 percent of their attempts and hit 7 of 22 from behind the arc.

USC led by 11 before putting the game away with a 15-0 second-half burst.

Agee canned a 3-pointer with 8:07 remaining to start the run. Jalen Shelley slammed home a dunk and Agee hit another trey to make it 68-49 with 6:46 left. Shelley knocked down a 3-pointer, Desmond Claude added a dunk and Thomas connected on a jumper to end it as the Trojans led 75-49 with 5:03 to play.

Agee had 12 points and six rebounds in the first half as USC held a 39-24 halftime lead. Brumbaugh had eight points in the half for the Green Wave.

The Trojans jumped out fast and led 22-11 on Thomas' layup with 7:54 left in the first half.

USC finished the half in style when Claude made a short shot as time expired for the 15-point halftime advantage.

--Field Level Media