USC 75 PC 71: Trojans rally for win

Journal Sports Writer

kevinmcnamara33

DAYTON, Ohio – It took a while but when the Southern California Trojans finally showed up Wednesday night, they knocked the Providence Friars out of the NCAA Tournament in grand style.

After watching the Friars race to a 15-point halftime lead and own a 17-point bulge early in the second half, the Trojans blitzed PC the rest of the way and rallied to a 75-71 victory in a First Four game at Dayton Arena.

It is USC's first NCAA Tournament win since 2009 and the Trojans move on to face sixth seed Southern Methodist (30-4) Friday afternoon in Tulsa, Okla.

The Friars (20-13) were outscored 46-27 in the second half. Bennie Boatwright led USC (25-9) with 24 points…