Daniel Hackett’s first career triple-double and OJ Mayo’s game-high 29 points, coupled with an improving defense, were enough to lift the Trojans (2-1) over the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1), 85-75, on Saturday night in Columbia. Hackett, who had 22 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, and Mayo, who hit 11 of 19 shots from the field, are quickly emerging as one of the top backcourt pairs in the nation in the two games (both Trojan victories) since Hackett returned from a broken jaw.

The Trojans led for almost the entire game–often in double-digits–and limited the Gamecocks to 38% shooting from the field. They held South Carolina point guard Devan Downey, the team’s leading scorer, to 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting. They also did a better job dealing with a pressing defense after faltering at times against the press in Thursday’s victory over The Citadel. One area of concern for the Trojans, however, is their frontcourt. Taj Gibson, who has been relatively quiet in the early going, managed just eight points against the undersized Gamecocks (although he did block four shots), and fellow forward Kasey Cunningham injured his knee in the first half and did not return. Freshman forward Davon Jefferson was held out of the lineup for the third straight game.

The Trojans now return to Southern California, with their next contest coming Thursday night against the University of San Diego as part of the Anaheim Classic tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Mayo’s 29 points leads Southern Cal past South Carolina, 85-75 (AP via Yahoo!)
Box score (Yahoo!)