USC basketball continues hot start, gets win No. 10

It wasn’t pretty, but USC picked up another double-digit victory against a nonconference opponent.

The Trojans stifled the Southern Illinois Edwardsville Cougars from the opening tip, holding them to nine-for-37 shooting in the first half and 19 for 68 (27.9%) for the game en route to a 70-51 victory.

“Our goal is to keep teams below 40% shooting,” sophomore guard Jordan McLaughlin said. “We’ve just got to be active and talk.”

At 10-2, the Trojans are off to their best start since 2001-02. That team, led by Pac-10 player of the year Sam Clancy Jr., finished 22-10.

Big man Nikola Jovanovic picked up the scoring slack on an off night for his usually dependable sharpshooting teammates, finishing with season highs of 21 points and 16 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds.

“He really dominated the lane area tonight,” Coach Andy Enfield said. “I thought it was one of his better games with energy and certainly rebounding out of his area.”

Junior guard Katin Reinhardt hit a jumper for the first basket of the game, but there was no repeat of his red-hot performance on Thursday against Cal Poly. Both teams struggled early on, and at an official timeout with 11:37 in the first half, USC trailed 12-10. Up to that point, the Trojans had made only five of 18 shots, while SIUE was barely better at five for 16.

Freshman forward Bennie Boatwright snapped USC out of its funk with a transition three-pointer, and USC regained control, though very, very slowly.

There were turnovers galore and some puzzling attempts on each side of the court, most notably by SIUE big man Yemi Makanjuola, who, after securing an offensive rebound, hoisted a shot at the rim while sitting on the floor. USC corralled his miss and converted another three-pointer as part of a 10-0 run.

The Trojans gained an advantage with their tenacity on the interior, accumulating seven blocks (their season average) in the first 20 minutes. They added three more rejections by game’s end. “I was proud of our defense,” Enfield said. “We had a lot of steals and blocked shots.”

USC junior guard Julian Jacobs sat out for the second time because of tendinitis in his left Achilles’ tendon. Jacobs also sat out Dec. 13 against Yale, but returned four days later in a 101-82 victory over Cal Poly, contributing 10 points and 13 assists. Enfield said after Monday’s game that Jacobs is doubtful for USC’s game Wednesday against Lafayette.

Replacing Jacobs in the starting lineup was sophomore guard Elijah Stewart, who previously lost his spot to Reinhardt. Stewart was aggressive as an on-ball defender but wasn’t much of a threat offensively, scoring six points.

Jordan McLaughlin was more consistent with 12 points and five assists.

Reinhardt was just three of 11 from the floor and picked up a technical foul for shoving an SIUE player with 9:47 to play. Boatwright also had an off night, making two of nine attempts to end with eight points and five rebounds. “We just did not shoot the ball well from anywhere tonight,” Enfield said. “Our wing players have to do a better job of making plays for teammates.”

USC up next

Wednesday vs. Lafayette, 7 p.m., Galen Center, Pac-12 Networks

USC will finish its nonconference schedule and a five-game homestand against Lafayette (3-7). The Leopards, averaging 76 points per game, are the highest-scoring team the Trojans have faced since Nov. 29 against Monmouth.

sports@latimes.com