LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and missed opportunities, the Southern California Trojans leaned on the dominant interior presence of Jacob Cofie to fend off a persistent Washington State Cougars team 68-61 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Sunday at Galen Center.

A crowd of 5,394 watched the Trojans improve to 10-1, while Washington State fell to 3-8 in a contest where offensive rhythm was scarce for long stretches. The game’s pivotal sequence arrived late in the second half, transforming a tense, one-possession affair into a cushion Southern California would not relinquish.

With just over four minutes remaining and the Trojans clinging to a 57-55 lead, the Cougars’ ND Okafor missed a hook shot. Southern California’s Jaden Brownell secured the defensive rebound, and on the ensuing possession, found himself the beneficiary of a sharp Ezra Ausar pass for a layup, pushing the lead to four. On Washington State’s next trip, Ace Glass III committed a foul, sending Chad Baker-Mazara to the line. The Trojans’ wing sank both free throws, extending the run.

After a Washington State turnover, Baker-Mazara was fouled again, converting another pair from the charity stripe. In a critical span of just 74 seconds, what had been a two-point game ballooned to an eight-point Trojan advantage at 63-55 following a 6-0 personal run by Baker-Mazara, all from the free-throw line. The Cougars, who had battled to stay within striking distance throughout the half, could not mount a sufficient response, never cutting the deficit below five points the rest of the way.

The game’s most important part was not a single shot, but this methodical, defense-fueled stretch where Southern California capitalized on Washington State’s empty possessions and converted at the line, creating the separation needed to secure the victory.

Cofie, a 6-foot-10 sophomore from Seattle, was the engine for Southern California, finishing with a game-high 21 points on efficient 9-of-12 shooting from the field, adding several key defensive rebounds and a blocked shot. His early activity set the tone, scoring the game’s first basket on a dunk and contributing 12 first-half points as the Trojans built a 33-26 halftime lead.

Baker-Mazara provided crucial secondary scoring and playmaking, tallying 19 points and five assists. His defensive effort was also notable, recording two blocks, including a pivotal one in the final two minutes. Ausar added 13 points and a team-high 37 minutes of steady play, while Jordan Marsh directed the offense with five assists.

Washington State, which has now lost four straight, was led by Rihards Vavers’ 13 points. The Cougars showcased balanced scoring but lacked a consistent go-to option against the Trojans’ defense, with Jerone Morton and Eemeli Yalaho each adding 10 points. The Cougars shot just 38% from the field for the game and were hampered by 15 turnovers.

Southern California struggled from the perimeter, making only 4 of 22 attempts from 3-point range, but compensated with a 44-28 advantage in points in the paint, largely through Cofie’s efforts, and a 16-8 edge in points off turnovers. The Trojans also made 18 of 24 free throws compared to Washington State’s 9 of 13.

The Cougars, who have faced a challenging early schedule, showed resilience, erasing an 11-point first-half deficit to briefly take a lead early in the second period. A 3-pointer by Vavers at the 18:31 mark of the second half gave Washington State a 39-37 edge, its first since the opening minutes. The teams traded leads until a 7-0 Southern California run, capped by a Jordan Marsh 3-pointer, put the Trojans ahead for good at 46-41 midway through the half.

Washington State will look to snap its skid Wednesday against Eastern Washington in Spokane. Southern California continues its homestand Wednesday against Texas-San Antonio.