Elijah Stewart unstoppable in USC victory over Oregon State

Elijah Stewart couldn’t miss.

The senior guard knocked down five consecutive three-pointers and threw in a couple alley-oops Saturday as USC cruised to a 72-59 victory over Oregon State at the Galen Center.

“You just hit this kind of mood,� Stewart said after the game. “Where everything just feels good.�

The Trojans improved to 19-9 (10-5 in Pac-12 Conference) to maintain a share of second place with UCLA (19-8, 10-5).

USC played without forward Bennie Boatwright, who suffered a knee injury last Thursday and is sidelined for the season.

Stewart said that in Boatwright’s absence, “someone had to pick up the slack.�

Stewart scored a season high 28 points, making eight consecutive shots — including five from three-point range — before a jumper bounced off the rim.

“I don’t think he knew he made eight shots in a row,� Jordan McLaughlin said.

Stewart finished nine of 10 from the floor.

“He shot the ball great,� coach Andy Enfield said before crediting McLaughlin for getting players “wide open shots.�

McLaughlin finished with 13 points and 11 assists, several of which were lobs that Stewart and Chimezie Metu dunked.

USC got off to a rocky start in the first half —shooting 44% — as Jonah Mathews’ three-point shots missed their mark and a Metu dunk attempt bounced off the rim.

There were lapses defensively but the Trojans played well enough to maintain a lead through most of the half. Oregon State shot 46%, often forcing off-balance shots or not getting one off at all as the shot-clock expired.

Oregon State guard Stephen Thompson Jr. completed a three-point play to tie score 16-16 with 8:54 to play in the first half. The Beavers took their first lead (20-18) behind a Gligorije Rakocevic jumper.

“We weren’t getting stops,� McLaughlin said. “That’s what we talked about at halftime and in the huddles, being aggressive.�

Stewart sparked an 8-2 run when he knocked down a three-point basket, and USC took a 32-30 lead into halftime.

Out of the break, Stewart knocked down another three-pointer and USC pulled away.

The Trojans opened an eight-point lead behind a Stewart dunk, Metu layup and Jordan Usher put-back.

Metu finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Usher scored seven.

Mathews, making a second straight start, never found a rhythm and missed all five three-point attempts.

UP NEXT

Wednesday at Colorado, 7:30 p.m. PST, Coors Events Center. TV: FS1 — The Trojans defeated the Buffaloes, 70-58, at the Galen Center last month. Freshman guard McKinley Wright IV leads Colorado in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game.

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