USC Basketball vs. Oklahoma score, summary: Trojans drop third straight

USC Basketball lost their third game in a row on Friday night at Staples Center, falling in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic to Oklahoma, 85-83.

The lowdown:

Oklahoma’s Trae Young opened the scoring with a three pointer and Oklahoma took off from there, knocking down six of their first nine shots from distance.

With the Sooners jumping out to a 20-9 lead, Andy Enfield’s timely timeout came at the right moment. USC emerged from the break with an 8-0 run including an Elijah Stewart three-pointer from NBA range and a three-point play driving to the hoop from Jordan McLaughlin.

Despite USC’s run, Oklahoma climbed back into control. With the Trojans going scoreless for over four minutes, the Sooners worked the interior, posting a 10-0 run to take a 33-20 lead.

As the minutes ticked down in the first half, each Trojan attempt to trim the lead was matched by the Sooners. Oklahoma went into the half leading 48-36.

Young hit another three pointer to start the second period and the Sooners maintained their advantage despite Stewart’s hot hand, hitting shots from beyond the arc to keep the game from getting out of hand.

Nick Rakocevic provided a spark with a pair of layups, including a nifty spin move inside, before Chimezie Metu’s hook shot pulled the Trojans within six points with eight minutes on the clock.

McLaughlin sank a three-pointer to put USC as close as four points, but Oklahoma responded by hitting four straight shots as the Trojans went two and a half minutes without scoring.

USC nearly created some drama to end the contest. McLaughlin drew a foul on a made layup with 11 seconds to play, drawing the game to just two points. When Young missed both free throws with three seconds left on the clock, the point guard got a chance to complete the miracle comeback, but his desperation shot fell just short.

By the numbers:

• With four blocks on the night, Metu moved into fifth on USC’s career list.
• Stewart led the Trojans with 23 points, hitting 7-of-11 shots from distance.
• McLaughlin added 20 points and nine assists, but committed four turnovers.
• Metu led all players with six turnovers. However, his 11 rebounds were the most for either team.
• USC outrebounded Oklahoma 45-32.
• USC committed 17 turnovers to Oklahoma’s 11.
• The Sooners hit 15-of-31 shots from beyond the arc.
• Boatwright hit just 1-of-7 three-point attempts.

Player of the game: Oklahoma’s Trae Young, who led all scorers with 29 points and added nine assists.

Next on tap: The Trojans will return to the Galen Center at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14 to face Santa Clara.