BYU vs. USC Postgame Notes

The following notes are from BYU's 79-53 loss to USC on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, at the Roman Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper in Uncasville, Connecticut.

BYU–USC Game Notes

• BYU and USC have met 10 times in men’s basketball. With its 79-53 victory today, the Trojans now lead the overall series 7-3.
• BYU is now 3-1 on the year. The Cougars began last season at 3-1 before going on to finish the year at 24-8 and a final national ranking of No. 18/16 in the AP/USA Today Coaches polls.
• The lead changed hands seven times in the first half. BYU last led 18-17 with 8:39 to play before USC went on a 14-2 run to close out the half.
• The Cougars had nine players score in the game, including a game-high 11 from both Matt Haarms and Gideon George.
• Haarms and George, who transferred to BYU in the offseason, both recorded new BYU career highs in both scoring (11) and rebounds (6).
• BYU’s bench scored 25 points versus USC, including George (11), Trevin Knell (5), Jesse Wade (4), Wyatt Lowell (3) and Richard Harward (2)

Season Highs

• Points: Haarms (11), George (11), Wade (4)
• Rebounds: Haarms (6), George (6), Lee (4 tied), Wade (1 tied)
• Assists: Erickson (1), George (1 tied)

Next up for the Cougars

• The Cougars will face St. John's of the Big East in the second game of the Roman Legends Classic on Wednesday, Dec. 2, with tipoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. MT) on ESPN2. 
• The Red Storm are off to a 3-0 start with wins over Saint Peter's (76-75), La Salle (82-65) and Boston College (97-93)
• St. John’s and BYU have played eight times with the Red Storm holding a 7-1 record over the Cougars.
• St. John’s won the last meeting, 67-62, on Dec. 8, 1990.