SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Ticker) -- Southern California rebounded
from a disappointing loss in its first-round game of the Puerto
Rico Tip-Off Classic with a 73-46 triumph over Chattanooga on
Friday.

The 20th-ranked Trojans, who were knocked off, 63-61, by Seton
Hall on Thursday, made sure to avoid back-to-back upsets with a
well-balanced scoring attack against the Mocs.

Taj Gibson collected 17 points and 15 rebounds and Dwight Lewis
scored 16 for USC. The Trojans will face Missouri in the
fourth-place game Sunday.

Friday's contest opened much like Thursday night's tilt for the
Trojans (3-1) as they began the game with a 16-6 run. Daniel
Hackett scored nine of his 10 points in the opening half as USC
took a double-digit lead into the break for the second straight
game, this time leading, 39-29.

Nicchaeus Doaks scored 12 of his team-high 14 points in the
first half for the Mocs. The senior forward also registered 15
rebounds and three assists for the game while Stephen McDowell
added 10 points.

After being torched for a 21-9 run at the start of the second 20
minutes against the Pirates, the Trojans used a 17-6 burst
following the break to put away the upset-minded Mocs (0-4).

Despite shooting just 33 percent (11-of-33) in the second half,
USC used a stifling defense after halftime to advance, holding
the Mocs to just three field goals and 17 points. Gibson
finished with five blocks.

Chattanooga has faced three ranked opponents so far this season,
losing by an average of 26 points per game.

Leonard Washington scored nine and grabbed 12 rebounds for USC,
which held a 53-29 edge on the boards.

Hackett had nine assists for the Trojans, who finished with 19
helpers on 26 field goals.