Xavier ends USC’s unbeaten run, 87-77, in tournament semifinal

USC put itself in a big hole early and couldn’t recover as the Trojans’ best basketball start the 2000-01 season ended in an 87-77 loss to No. 23-ranked Xavier on Friday in the AdvoCare Invitational title game.

Xavier (6-0) took control early on en route to a 54-27 halftime lead. Trevon Bluiett scored 11 of his 16 points in the first half. Xavier also got 13 points from Edmond Sumner.

“Xavier played outstanding basketball in the first half,” USC Coach Andy Enfield said. “We got on our heels a little bit on offense. It kind of snowballed on us.”

The Trojans (5-1), who had defeated No. 20 Wichita State on Thursday, were looking to win two games in the same season against top 25 teams for the first time since 2010-11. USC’s season-opening five-game run had been the best since the Trojans started 8-0 in 2000-01.

Nikola Jovanovic and Julian Jacobs had 15 points each for USC.

“Had our best half of the year,” Xavier Coach Chris Mack said. “Our guys were ready to play. We’re just excited to play in the championship game.”

The Musketeers were six for 13 from three-point range, including Bluiett converting three of four during the opening half.

Bluiett had a pair of three-pointers and Jalen Reynolds added two slam dunks during a 17-0 run that put Xavier ahead 19-3 five minutes into the game.

USC shot nine for 26 and was outrebounded 25-10 in the opening half. For the game, the Musketeers won the battle on the boards, 43-30.

Jovanovic’s three-point play and a dunk by Jacobs got USC to 70-55 with 6 1/2 minutes to play. The deficit was trimmed to 72-59 on Malik Marquetti’s rebound basket.

The Trojans outscored Xavier, 50-33, in the second half.

“It was a learning experience for the guys,” said Xavier guard Myles Davis, who had 12 points. “I’m not saying we let our foot off the gas. I just think we’re in a different circumstance that we haven’t been in yet.”

USC guard Jordan McLaughlin had six points over 17 minutes during the first half, but didn’t play in the second because a broken nose.

“He’s a tough young man,” Enfield said. “We’ll see how it plays out and whether he can play on Sunday.”

Xavier made the most of its edge at the free-throw line, making 22 of 29. USC converted 10 of 13.