Maurice Jones scored eight of USC's final 12 points to lead the Trojans to a 66-59 victory over feisty Cal State Northridge Friday night at the Galen Center.
Jones took it upon himself to singlehandedly become the Trojans' offense after Northridge scrambled from a 10-point deficit to take the lead late in the second half.
The sophomore guard went to work after watching Northridge overcome a 13-point deficit and go ahead of USC (1-0) in the closing minutes of the game. His basket and free throw, with 3:49 remaining, gave the Trojans a 55-54 lead. The Trojans didn't trail again.
Jones finished with 11 points, but the Trojans were led by Aaron Fuller and Dewayne Dedmon, who netted 16 points each.
Northridge (0-1), which had only two seniors and no juniors, was led by Stephan Hicks, who scored 16 points.
