Taj Gibson’s best performance of the season helped USC (3-1) get past the University of San Diego (2-3), 60-50, during the opening night of the Anaheim Classic Tournament before a sparse Thanksgiving-night crowd at the Anaheim Convention Center. Although USC led for most of the game, they never could put a comfortable distance between themselves and the Toreros (who trailed by just four points with two minutes remaining), and the Trojans were fortunate that USD shot poorly (just 33%) and turned the ball over 22 times. USC also turned the ball over repeatedly (20 times), and the Trojans were outrebounded by the smaller Toreros, 35-32.

Gibson finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, which helped to compensate for a general lack of offense and sloppy play from the Trojans. OJ Mayo had a poor shooting night, but finished with 20 points, and had a big steal and a pair of even bigger baskets in the final minute to help seal the victory for the Trojans. Freshman Davon Jefferson finally made his USC debut, scoring five points and grabbing three rebounds in about 19 minutes of action off the bench.

USC will next face the defense-oriented Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (2-0) on Friday night at 9:30p on ESPN2.

Southern Cal 60, San Diego 50 (AP via ESPN)
USC shoots past San Diego (LA Times)
USC 60, San Diego 50 (OC Register)