Agbo and Claude lead USC to a 90-69 win over Cal State Northridge

Chibuzo Agbo scored 23 points and Desmond Claude 21 points and USC pulled away from Cal State Northridge in the second half to beat the Matadors 90-69 on Wednesday night.

Saint Thomas scored 16 points and Josh Cohen added 12 for the Trojans (8-4), who have won three straight after three games.

PJ Fuller II and Keonte Jones each scored 17 points for the Matadors (7-4).

Thomas made two 3-pointers in a minute and Claude converted a three-point play and USC extended its 54-49 lead to 14 points and the Trojans stayed ahead by double digits the rest of the way.

USC went on a 13-2 run in less than two minutes, turning a 9-8 lead into a 22-10 lead with 13:54 left before halftime. But CSUN began to systematically work to achieve quick success to create an interior offense. The Matadors outscored USC 20-12 in the first half.

Jones’ layup capped a 26-13 CSUN scoring outburst that lasted nearly 10 minutes and gave the Matadors a 36-35 lead. Reserve player Kevin Patton sank a deep three-pointer at the end of the half to give the Trojans a 40-39 lead.

USC capitalized on an 8-0 run early in the second before CSUN went on a 6-2 run to get within 50-44.

The Matadors host Chicago State on Saturday. USC hosts Southern University on Sunday.