USC bounces back in victory

Taj Gibson scored 17 points to lead No. 19 USC to a 73-46 win over Chattanooga in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off on Friday night.

Gibson also grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked five shots for the Trojans (3-1), who played a strong second half to secure the victory. USC lost to unranked Seton Hall, 63-61, on Thursday night.

Dwight Lewis scored 16 points, DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 13 and Daniel Hackett had 10 points and nine assists.

Leonard Washington scored nine points and had 12 rebounds for USC, which outrebounded Chattanooga, 57-32.

Nicchaeus Doaks led the Mocs (0-4) with 14 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. Stephen McDowell scored 10 points.

USC, which will play Missouri on Sunday for fourth place, shot 40.6% (26 of 64) from the field for the game compared to 25.9% (15 of 58) for the Mocs. The Trojans scored 30 points in the paint and made 18 of their 25 free throws. The Mocs were 10 for 18 from the line.

The Trojans led by 10 points at halftime but outscored the Mocs, 34-17, in the second half. Chattanooga made only three field goals in the second half, including one for 14 from beyond the three-point arc. As a team, the Trojans registered 10 blocks.

Gibson scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the second half for USC. He is averaging 18 points and 16.5 rebounds over the last two games.

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USC up next

vs. Missouri, 9:30 a.m. PST, Sunday, Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan -- The Tigers (3-1) pulled away from Fairfield in the second half for an 87-59 win Friday. The Sunday game is for fourth place in the tournament.