Gophers men’s basketball team pushes back for victory against USC

The first Los Angeles trip ever for the Gophers men’s basketball team in Big Ten play got off to an impressive start with a gutsy road victory Saturday — even with the U’s best player held in check.

Lu’Cye Patterson scored 25 points, including four free throws in the last 13 seconds to seal the Gophers’ 69-66 upset of USC at Galen Center.

“I thought Lu’Cye really showed a will and toughness to him,” Gophers coach Ben Johnson told reporters in the postgame news conference. “I think our guys really fed off that. He had a competitive fight.”

Leading the Gophers (13-12, 5-9 Big Ten) to their third road victory this season, Patterson had 19 points in the second half. He finished 6-for-16 from the field and 11-for-13 on free throws.

“We just never wavered,” Patterson said. “We just came together as a team and stayed together.”

Frank Mitchell, who finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, scored on a putback to cut the Gophers’ deficit to 66-65 with 24 seconds to play.

After USC’s inbounds pass was stolen by Dawson Garcia, Patterson drew a foul driving hard to the rim and nailed two free throws for the lead.

The Trojans committed a turnover on their ensuing possession when Desmond Claude lost the ball out of bounds. The call was reviewed but not overturned.

Patterson was fouled again and iced the game with two more free throws for the Gophers, who ended the game on an 8-0 run.

“Just routine and reps,” Patterson said about his foul shooting. “It’s just me locking in and knowing what’s at stake.”

After trailing by 14 points in the first half, the Gophers got within 38-29 at halftime. They took their first lead of the game with a putback dunk from Mitchell with 7:16 to play.

As part of a 14-2 run that included 11 straight points, Patterson’s deep three-pointer made it 58-54 Gophers at 5:46 in the second half.

BOXSCORE: Gophers 69, Southern Cal 66

Big Ten standings

Femi Odukale had four of the U’s 10 steals, but he fouled behind the three-point line with 90 seconds left. Chibuzo Agbo hit all three free throws for a 66-61 Trojans lead, but they didn’t score again.

“I think the biggest thing was for our guys to take a deep breath and just relax,” Johnson said. “This is a good team. We knew that. Obviously, they’re good at home. This is a big game for both of us.”

The Trojans (14-11, 6-8), who shot 9-for-15 from three-point range, were led by Wesley Yates and Agbo with 18 points each. But leading scorer Claude struggled with 12 points and six turnovers.

USC coach Eric Musselman, the son of former Gophers coach Bill Musselman, was visibly frustrated after his team’s second-half collapse Saturday.

Garcia was held to seven points on 3-for-10 shooting as USC’s players switched on screens and double-teamed Garcia at every opportunity. The game plan was to dare anyone else to beat them.

Patterson was clutch on the perimeter. Mitchell made the Trojans pay down low with nine points on 4-for-4 shooting with nine rebounds in the second half.

“The coaching staff keeps on me and are adamant about my play, my hustle and my motor,” Mitchell said. “I think as a team they keep motivating me. That allows me to do my job.”

Isaac Asuma scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half for the Gophers, who bounced back from last weekend’s 21-point loss vs. Illinois at home.

The celebration might last through the weekend, and Johnson’s team will try to end the L.A. trip 2-0 after Tuesday’s game at UCLA.

“Winning that first one you’re definitely going in with the ultimate confidence to go get another one,” Patterson said. “Happy for our guys we got this one. We know the next one is going to be a real test.”