Trojans snap two-game skid, blow by the Buffs amid star freshman’s debut

After falling just short against crosstown rival UCLA in a 60-58 loss at Pauley Pavilion one week ago, the Trojans were looking to get back on track in front of a home crowd at Galen Center.

USC jumped out to an early 15-3 lead, which would end up as their largest of the night. After the Buffs stormed back, USC’s advantage shrunk to two as the Trojans went to the locker room up 34-32 at the half.

Senior guard Boogie Ellis finished the first half with four assists and eight points, one shy of the team’s leader, junior forward Joshua Morgan, who netted nine. Despite the pair’s stellar performances in the first 20 minutes of play, the highlight of the half came only five minutes after tip-off.

As Colorado lined up to take its first of two free throws, the crowd at Galen Center was on its feet roaring in support. The fans weren’t cheering for what was happening on the court though, rather what was about to happen.

The standing ovation was in response to freshman forward Vincent Iwuchukwu taking off his warmup jacket and striding to the scorer’s table.

Iwuchukwu is a former five-star recruit who was expected to play a large role on the Trojans’ squad this year. However, during a preseason practice in July, the freshman suffered cardiac arrest due to a heart condition and had been sidelined since the start of the season.

When he checked into his first college game on Thursday night, the Galen Center crowd was sure to give him a warm welcome.

“I personally really liked how the fans gave him a standing ovation,” Morgan said. “I know that made his first game back special… he’s probably going to remember that one for a while.”

The freshman’s appearance was not only a special moment for his teammates, but one for head coach Andy Enfield as well.

“He’s an incredible person and he’s gone through a lot,” Enfield said. “It was really special… We were just so happy he was out there and he’s a big part of our team.”

Iwuchukwu only played five minutes, which Enfield credited to a minutes restriction that will remain until the team’s medical staff gives the green light..

Just minutes into the second half, the Buffs went up 38-36, grabbing their first and only lead of the contest. From that point on it was a dogfight, culminating in fifth year guard Drew Peterson knocking down a fadeaway jumper as the shot clock wound down to put the Trojans up three with 1:20 left to play. USC rode this lead out to a 68-61 victory over Colorado, snapping the Trojans’ two-game losing streak.

“I try to put the ball in our leading scorers’ and best offensive players’ hands,” Enfield said of the clutch play. “They’re instructed to try to make a play if you can’t get a clean look and Drew made a big time shot.”

While senior captains Ellis and Peterson led their team with 14 and 15 points respectively, USC won the game with its defense and ball security.

Morgan proved to be a key player on the defensive front after getting benched in the second half of USC’s loss to UCLA. The junior forward responded with four blocks, including some key ones in the final minutes, and three steals in the win over Colorado.

“I had a lot of motivation coming into this game,” Morgan said. “I feel like last game I kind of let my teammates down so this game I really had to make sure that I wasn’t going to be a detriment, that I was going to make up for last game and I think I did that.”

While the Buffs won the battle on the boards, out-rebounding the Trojans 44 to 29, USC made up for it by forcing 22 turnovers and only committing 9 of its own.

USC will look to keep up its winning ways when the Trojans square off with Utah at Galen Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.