USC men’s basketball: Trojans with 40-27 lead over Coppin State after first half

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USC couldn’t have started off any worse, but the Trojans couldn’t have responded to the early struggles any better.

USC has a 40-27 lead over Coppin State after the first half, shooting 61.5% with an effort that has involved most of the team. Guard Donte Smith has led the way with nine points. Forwards Marcus Johnson (eligibility issues involving last season’s transfer from Connecticut) and Alex Stepheson (sore left knee) made their season debuts, chipping in with six points and five points, respectively. Stepheson, who had sat out all of last year because of issues related to his transfer from North Carolina, also had four rebounds.

It didn’t appear at first that the chemistry would click.

Coppin State stormed to an 8-0 lead that entailed USC missing its first three shots and committing a turnover. After Eagles guard Lenny Young hit a three-pointer at the 16:58 mark, Trojans Coach Kevin O’Neill called a timeout.

But then USC came off the timeout on a 10-0 run and took the lead when Johnson’s jumper gave the Trojans a 12-11 edge with 10:58 remaining. The Eagles went through a three-minute stretch late in the first half shooting zero of four and committing two turnovers.

USC guard Marcus Simmons (six points), forward Nikola Vucevic (five points) and forward Evan Smith also rounded out the Trojans depth. It staved off the one of six shooting and two points from USC guard Dwight Lewis and the 11 points from Eagles guard Kareem Brown.

--Mark Medina