3 keys in the BYU Cougars’ 26-point loss to the USC Trojans

BYU’s Matt Haarms, top left, and Southern California’s Evan Mobley, top right, fight for a rebound in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) | AP

For a little more than 15 minutes of game action on Tuesday at the Roman Legends Classic in Uncasville, Conn., the BYU Cougars stayed close with the USC Trojans, but then things fell apart in a huge way and the Cougars ultimately lost, 79-53.

Here are three keys from the game:

• BYU trailed by just a point at 21-20 with 4:49 left in the first half, but USC scored the last 10 points of the frame to gain some separation. Just more than five minutes into the second half, the Trojan lead was 20.
• For the game, the Cougars shot just 28 percent from the field, including just 7-of-30 from behind the 3-point line. USC made 6 3s on only 15 attempts. Four Trojans finished in double figures, led by 19 points from Drew Peterson. Only two BYU players, Matt Haarms and Gideon George, finished in double figures, and they each only scored 11 points. Only two of Haarms’ points came after the 8:38 mark of the first half.
• BYU was outrebounded 50-35

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