In the first official organized basketball meeting of the 2007 USC Trojans, freshman phenom O.J. Mayo (6-5/200, G) performed as expected and led the team in scoring along with freshman Davon Jefferson (6-8, 215, F). Both players scored 29 points. The Trojans spent the weekend in Mexico before returning to Los Angeles on Monday.
In a change of scheduled exhibition games in Mexico, the Trojans played one game against Culiacan and the second game of the double header was cancelled after the first game ended at 10:00 pm local time. A third game scheduled in Mazatlan was also cancelled due to flood damage of the basketball facility.
After trailing 59-52 to the Culiacan Caballeros at halftime, the Trojans picked up the defense and outscored their opponents 50-23 in the second half. USC won the game going away, 102-82.
Leading Trojan scorers were: Mayo (29), Jefferson (29), Taj Gibson (9), Mamadou Diarra (7), Ryan Wetherell (7) and Marcus Simmons (7).
Daniel Hackett was excused from playing after spending the summer with the Italian National Team.
The Trojans will commence regular basketball practices in October. USC will play two exhibition games at the Galen Center (Cardinal and Gold game) on October 28 and against Fresno Pacific on December 8, before heading into the season.