Western Kentucky upsets top-seeded USC to advance to NIT quarters

[March 20, 2018]  Senior forward Justin Johnson recorded 23 points and seven rebounds to lead fourth-seeded Western Kentucky to a 79-75 victory over top-seeded Southern California on Monday in NIT play at Galen Center in Los Angeles.

Senior forward Dwight Coleby added 13 points and seven rebounds as the Hilltoppers (26-10) won consecutive NIT games for the first time since 1948. Junior guard Lamonte Bearden had 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and freshman guard Josh Anderson scored 10 points.

Senior guard Elijah Stewart scored 20 points for the Trojans (24-12). Senior point guard Jordan McLaughlin registered 13 points, 14 assists and three steals, freshman wing Jordan Usher also had 13 points and sophomore power forward Nick Rakocevic had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Western Kentucky visits second-seeded Oklahoma State on Wednesday in the NIT quarterfinals.

The Hilltoppers made 16 of 17 free-throw attempts and shot 53.6 percent from the field, including 3 of 9 from 3-point range.

USC shot 46.8 percent from the field, including 9 of 24 from 3-point range. The Trojans shot poorly from the line, hitting just eight of 19 attempts.

USC played without junior forward Chimezie Metu for the second straight game as the team's leading scorer (15.7) and rebounder (7.4) is choosing not to play to protect his NBA draft status. Metu watched the contest from the stands.

 

The Trojans trailed 76-75 after a basket by Rakocevic with 52.9 seconds left, but they didn't score again. Johnson split two free throws with 33.1 seconds left and Coleby delivered the victory-sealing dunk with 11.3 seconds remaining.

USC led 47-45 after a three-point play by Usher with 7:11 remaining the third quarter before the Hilltoppers went on a 12-3 run. Anderson scored six points during the stretch as Western Kentucky took a 57-50 advantage.

The Trojans recovered with an 8-2 flurry and Stewart knocked down a 3-pointer with four seconds left to pull USC within 59-58 entering the final stanza.

Stewart connected on another 3-pointer to give the Trojans a 65-61 lead with 7:38 left, and McLaughlin's basket increased the margin to six with 5:52 remaining. Western Kentucky responded with an 11-3 surge to take a 72-70 lead on Johnson's dunk with 2:56 to play.

A basket by Johnson gave the Hilltoppers a 76-73 lead with 1:03 remaining.

Johnson scored 12 first-half points and Western Kentucky shot 60.7 percent from the field in the first half to lead 40-39 at the break.

--Field Level Media

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