USC faced off against San Diego State last night in the Wooden Legacy Final in Anaheim, California. 4 teams faced off in the Wooden Legacy, 2 from the east, 2 from the west. San Diego State, from the Mountain West, faced off against Georgetown, from the Big East. SDSU shutdown Georgetown, 73-56, to make it to the final. Matt Bradley had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, leading SDSU to the win. USC, from the PAC 12, beat St. Joseph's, from the Atlantic 10, 70-55, behind Memphis transfer Boogie Ellis, who had 17 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Isaiah Mobley cleaned the boards for SC, with 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 points.
St. Joe's played Georgetown in the 3rd Place Game and St. Joe's came out victorious, winning 77-74. Hawks' star forward Taylor Funk had 29 points, 4 steals, a block, assist and 7 rebounds, leading the Hawks to the win. St. Joe's got to 3-3 on the year and captured the bronze despite being beaten out in turnovers (SJ: 15, GT: 14), 3 point percentage (SJ: 34.4%, GT: 44%) and rebounds (GT: 38, SJ: 36). The Hawks had great passing, were shooting 45.3% from the field an 62.5% from the free throw line. They also only had 14 fouls, while the Hoyas had 15.
USC faced SDSU with the hope of stopping Matt Bradley, which they did, holding him to 3 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Bradley also got into foul trouble early which sidelined him for a lot of the game. SDSU started off on an 11-5 run, but USC responded going on a 17-4 run, to make it 22-15, USC at the half. The Trojans dominated the 1st Half with their great size and athleticism. Two big men that dominated in the first half were Isaiah Mobley had 10 points and Chevez Goodwin had 6 points, leading SC to the Halftime lead. Guard Boogie Ellis used his speed to move the ball fast, up the court, to generate a ton of points off of fastbreaks.
The Second Half started, and USC started to pull away, going on a 10-2 run, dominated by Drew Peterson and Chevez Goodwin. The Trojans held a steady lead throughout the 2nd Half and with 10 minutes left in the game, USC led 39-29. Drew Peterson dominated the 2nd Half, scoring 14 of USC's 36 2nd Half points. Peterson finished the game with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block. The Aztecs got within 8 and had the momentum going their way with 4:30 left in the game, but the momentum shifted to USC when Trey Pulliam fouled Drew Peterson, sending him to the line. Peterson nailed his free throws, making it a 10 point game. The Aztecs brought it within 10 again, but they sent Mobley to the line on the next possession. USC went on a 12-5 run to end the game, ending the game and winning the Wooden Legacy. The final was 58-43.
Isaiah Mobley won Player of the Game with a double - double: 18 points and 12 assists. The Trojans had been undefeated in the year (5-0) when they had 3 players score double digits which they did against the Aztecs. Chevez Goodwin had 10 points and 5 rebounds, Drew Peterson had 16 points and Isaiah Mobley had 18 points. The Trojans shutdown the Aztecs on defense, only allowing one player to score double digits. Trey Pulliam had 11 points, 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal for the Aztecs. Mobley won Player of the Tournament, averaging a double-double.
USC outplayed the Aztecs in every category but steals, free throw percentage and turnovers. The Aztecs won 5-4 on steals, 36.4% to 33.3% in free throws and 6-8 in turnovers. USC was 42.1% from the field, 28.6% from the 3 Pt. line, and had 10 assists. The Trojans outrebounded the Aztecs, 49-33, outblocked the Aztecs 7-3 and only had 16 fouls, compared to SDSU's 21. The Trojans are now 6-0 while the Aztecs are 4-2.
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