Idaho State Bengals @ USC Trojans
Josh Cohen, Saint Thomas help USC fend off Idaho State 75-69
LOS ANGELES -- — Josh Cohen had 19 points and Saint Thomas hit a late 3-pointer to help Southern California hold off Idaho State 75-69 on Thursday night.
Dylan Darling made both ends of a one-and-one following his layup to give Idaho State a 58-57 lead with 8:45 left to play. USC (2-0) moved back ahead by three, but Evan Otten hit 1 of 2 free throws and followed with a dunk to tie the game at 63 with 4:02 remaining.
Clark Slajchert made 2 of 3 free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt and Cohen hit a jumper following a Bengals turnover to give the Trojans a 68-65 lead with 2:25 left. Idaho State (0-2) turned a missed 3-pointer by Slajchert into a fastbreak layup by Jake O’Neil to get within a point.
Both teams missed shots before Thomas buried a 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to put the Trojans up 71-67. Darling had a layup with 4.5 seconds left, but Slajchert hit two foul shots for a two-possession lead.
Cohen made 8 of 12 shots from the floor and 3 of 4 free throws for USC. Wesley Yates III scored 13 points off the bench. Thomas finished with 10 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Darling, a sophomore transfer from Washington State, finished with a career-high 22 points for Idaho State. Isaiah Griffin had 10 points. O'Neil had nine points and nine rebounds.
Cohen had a layup with five seconds left and scored 12 points to help USC take a 38-35 lead into halftime. Darling had 15 points for Idaho State to keep it a one-possession game. The Bengals fell behind 19-7 but stayed close by making 14 of 16 foul shots, while the Trojans sank only 6 of 14.
USC, which opened with a 77-51 home victory over Chattanooga, will host UT Arlington on Wednesday.
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Game Information
Los Angeles, CA

Referee:Keith Kimble
Referee:Blanca Burns
Referee:Paul Scelz

2025-26 Standings
| Big Sky ConferenceBig Sky Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State | 13-5 | - | 19-10 |
| Montana State | 12-6 | 1 | 18-13 |
| Eastern Washington | 11-7 | 2 | 13-18 |
| Northern Colorado | 10-8 | 3 | 20-11 |
| Montana | 10-8 | 3 | 16-15 |
| Weber State | 10-8 | 3 | 16-15 |
| Idaho | 9-9 | 4 | 17-14 |
| Sacramento State | 6-12 | 7 | 10-20 |
| Idaho State | 5-13 | 8 | 12-19 |
| Northern Arizona | 4-14 | 9 | 10-21 |
| Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 17-1 | - | 27-2 |
| Michigan State | 14-4 | 3 | 24-5 |
| Nebraska | 14-5 | 3.5 | 25-5 |
| Illinois | 14-5 | 3.5 | 23-7 |
| Purdue | 12-6 | 5 | 22-7 |
| Wisconsin | 12-6 | 5 | 20-9 |
| UCLA | 12-7 | 5.5 | 20-10 |
| Iowa | 10-8 | 7 | 20-9 |
| Ohio State | 10-8 | 7 | 18-11 |
| Indiana | 8-10 | 9 | 17-12 |
| USC | 7-11 | 10 | 18-11 |
| Minnesota | 7-11 | 10 | 14-15 |
| Washington | 6-12 | 11 | 14-15 |
| Northwestern | 5-13 | 12 | 13-16 |
| Rutgers | 5-13 | 12 | 12-17 |
| Maryland | 4-14 | 13 | 11-18 |
| Oregon | 4-15 | 13.5 | 11-19 |
| Penn State | 3-15 | 14 | 12-17 |
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