Southern California routs Cal for wins in 8 of its last 9

Jonah Mathews scored 19 points, Daniel Utomi added 17 and Southern California defeated California 88-56 on Thursday night for its eighth win in its last nine games.Onyeka Okongwu had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Trojans (14-3, 3-1 Pac-12), who led for all but the first 101 seconds. USC made 14 3-pointers, with Utomi sinking four and Mathews three.

Matt Bradley led Cal with 13 points and Kareem South scored 12. The Golden Bears (8-9, 2-2 Pac-12) shot just 33.9% from the field as they had a two-game winning streak snapped.Bradley gave Cal its only lead with a layup 33 seconds into the game. The Trojans then scored the next six points and led the rest of the way.

South's jumper brought the Golden Bears within 22-19 when the Trojans scored 11 of the next 12 points to put it out of reach. Utomi had four points during the run as USC was three of four from the field and made a pair of 3-pointers.USC led 42-25 at halftime and extended its lead to 34 late in the second half.

The Trojans have won the last five games in the series.USC missed its first four free throws before going 22 of 29. ... Cal's Grant Anticevich, who was averaging 13.3 points and six rebounds in his last four games, was 0 of 7 from the field and had five rebounds.

BIG PICTURE

California: The Golden Bears' shooting problems weren't just confined to Thursday night. They have made just 35% or worse in three of the last five.

USC: The Trojans remain unbeaten in 11 games this season and have won 64 of their last 66 when holding opponents under 70 points.

Photo Credit: Pixabay/ Representative image