CHAMPAIGN — Desmond Claude scored a season-high 31 points to lead USC to an 82-72 win over No. 13 Illinois on Saturday.
Wesley Yates III had 15 points — shooting 7 of 8 from the field — while Rashaun Agee had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Trojans (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten).
Illinois (12-4, 4-2) had a five-game winning streak snapped. Ben Humrichous had 15 points, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Tre White each scored 11.
Kasparas Jakučionis, the Illini’s leading scorer, missed his second straight game because of a forearm injury suffered Sunday against Washington.
Takeaways
Illinois: The Illini have gotten off to a slow start in each game without Jakučionis. They trailed Penn State by six points early Wednesday before winning 91-52. They were down by nine early to USC and never did get their offense going without their scoring and assist leader. Illinois was 7 of 32 (21.9%) on 3-pointers.
USC: The Trojans didn’t get to the free-throw line very often. They were 9 of 11 on foul shots to Illinois’ 19 of 21. But USC shot 52% to Illinois’ 37% and outrebounded the Illini 37-34. Illinois came into the game averaging 45.9 rebounds per game, best in the nation.
Key moment
The game was tied at 57 with 8 minutes, 46 seconds left. USC went on a 13-3 run to move in front 70-60 with 5:12 to go, and Illinois didn’t threaten after that.
Key stat
Claude shot 12-for-20 from the field and made all seven of his free-throw attempts. Agee also was a shooting star. The graduate student sank three 3s after making two all season and six in his career.
Up next
USC: Plays host to Iowa on Tuesday night.
Illinois: Visits Indiana on Tuesday.
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