The lowdown:
Bennie Boatwright hit USC’s first basket of Pac-12 play, launching the Trojans into early control of the contest with a 7-4 lead after five minutes of play.
When Cal wrested the lead away, USC fought back with the help of an intentional foul call and a Boatwright fade away jumper to pull back ahead 15-12 with under 12 remaining.
Though neither team hit a three-pointer in the opening 10 minutes of play, it started raining threes at the Galen Center before long. Jonah Mathews’ hit from distance was answered almost immediately by one from Cal’s Matt Bradley.