USC dominates Pepperdine from the start to improve to 9-0

On they roll, the other high-flying, high-scoring, undefeated college basketball team in Los Angeles.

The one yet to crack the polls.

USC continued to do Sunday what it has throughout this early season, dispatching Pepperdine with ease, 93-67, at the Galen Center to push its record to 9-0.

It’s the Trojans’ best start since their 1971 team began 16-0, and if No. 2 UCLA is currently drawing the national acclaim, attention figures to come USC’s way soon enough.

Certainly their easy victory over a 4-6 Pepperdine team doesn’t figure to persuade any skeptics, but the Trojans have hovered just beneath the Top 25 and are now the nation’s only undefeated team that is unranked.

They made their case against the Waves with a now-typical team effort, getting plenty of output from a variety of sources, none more than the 26 points received from junior guard Elijah Stewart. He made a career-high seven three-pointers and added four blocked shots.

“This is what I came here for,” Stewart said, “to change the basketball culture.”

Pepperdine made the game’s first basket, missed its next eight shots, fell behind 11-2 and it was essentially over. The Waves were playing their second game without starting point guard Amadi Udenyi, who tore his Achilles’ tendon Nov. 27 against Portland State.

The Trojans led by 18 at the break (48-30) and by as many as 35 in the second half.

Once again they moved the ball well and shared the wealth. Five Trojans scored in double figures. Point guard Jordan McLaughlin had another outstanding all-around game, making all seven of his shots to finish with 18 points, six assists and only two turnovers.

All this offense was supported by another stifling defensive effort. USC blocked a school-record 14 shots (freshmen Nick Rakocevic and De’Anthony Melton each had three) and held the Waves to 38.2% shooting (26 of 68). Long and athletic, the Trojans had five steals.

“We don’t take anything for granted,” said USC Coach Andy Enfield. “We’re still a work in progress.”

Those skeptical over USC’s early success point to a preseason schedule that lacks a single ranked team. The Trojans’ next four opponents will do little to calm that complaint. They may not meet a ranked team until the first week of the Pac-12 season, when they travel to meet Oregon, currently ranked No. 24 by the Associated Press.

For now, the Trojans simply shrug and go about their business, pushing the ball, shooting threes (they made 12 against the Waves), playing tight defense and mostly having an easy time of it, much like that other team in town.

“We’re just doing what we do,” Stewart said. “You can’t really worry about other people’s opinions.”

Guard Jeremy Major led Pepperdine with 19 points, and forward Chris Reyes added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Leading scorer Lamond Murray Jr., meanwhile, made only four of 13 shots.

In addition to playing without forward Bennie Boatwright (out six weeks because of a knee injury), the Trojans went without forward Charles Buggs. Enfield said he suffered a minor thigh injury in warmups. Sunday, neither player was missed.