Isaiah Collier put up 19 points to lead five scorers in double figures for No. 21 Southern California, and the Trojans cruised to an 85-59 win over Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday in Los Angeles.
USC (2-0) never trailed and opened up a double-digit-point lead before the game’s first media timeout with a hot and balanced offensive start. Four of the five Trojans starters scored in the game’s first four minutes.
Cal State Bakersfield (1-1) briefly cut the deficit to seven points after falling behind 14-4, but a 13-2 USC run slammed the door on the Roadrunners early.
The Trojans shot 30 of 55 (54.5 percent) from the floor on the night, including 8 of 21 (38.1 percent) from 3-point range. DJ Rodman paced USC from deep, going 3-for-4 beyond the arc en route to 15 points.
Oziyah Sellers shot 2-for-4 from outside and 6-for-9 from the floor overall off the bench on the way to 16 points. Joshua Morgan added 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor.
Collier posted team bests of five assists and four steals. USC got another three steals from Boogie Ellis, who finished with 11 points.
USC totaled 10 steals as a team, contributing to a 21-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
Kaleb Higgins matched Collier’s game highs with 19 points and five assists to lead Cal State Bakersfield. Cameron Wilbon added 10 points for the Roadrunners, and Ugnius Jarusevicius scored six points in the loss.
Cal State Bakersfield finished just 24 of 57 (42.1 percent) from the floor and 4 of 16 (25 percent) from 3-point range.
Harrison Hornery finished with five points and five rebounds for USC, which opened a three-game homestand with the Thursday contest.
The Trojans host UC Irvine on Tuesday and Brown on Nov. 19. Cal State Bakersfield visits Berkeley to play Cal on Monday.
–Field Level Media