LOS ANGELES (AP) Shaqquan Aaron scored a career-high 21 points and Bennie Boatwright added 16 as Southern California cruised to a 92-66 victory over Oregon State on Thursday night.
Elijah Stewart chipped in 14 points and Chimezie Metu had 11 points and seven rebounds for Southern California (8-4, 21-4 Pac 12), which led by 10 or more the final 30 minutes en route to its fifth straight conference victory.
The Trojans shot 51 percent from the field, sank 10 of 22 3-pointers, and made 26 of 31 free throws, while holding the Beavers to 39 percent shooting at the other end.
JaQuori McLaughlin had 12 points and Stephen Thompson Jr scored 11 points, grabbed eight rebounds and added six assists for Oregon State (4-21, 0-12 Pac-12), which lost its 12th straight, and fell for the 18th time in 19 games. Kendal Manuel and Drew Eubanks each scored 11 points and Ben Kone had 10 points for the Beavers.
The Beavers have lost their 12 Pac-12 games this season by an average of 16.6 points.
The Trojans closed the first half by outscoring the Beavers 16-5 over the final 9:16, taking a 44-27 lead on Metu’s free throws.
From there, the Beavers never got closer than 59-48 with 11:21 remaining.
BIG PICTURE
Oregon State: The Beavers have lost their six Pac-12 road games this season by an average of 20.3 points. … OSU returns to the site of its last Pac-12 victory, Pauley Pavilion, where they ended their 2016 conference schedule with an 86-82 upset of the UCLA Bruins. … The Beavers have not won this season since Dec. 21, when they defeated Kent State 69-50 at Gil Coliseum in their last non-conference game.
Southern California: Currently, only California has a longer Pac-12 winning streak (six) than USC. … The Trojans’ 21-4 mark is their best through 25 games since their 1992 squad went 21-4. .. The Trojans won for the 22nd time in their last 26 home games against Oregon State.
INJURY UPDATE:
Oregon State: Sophomore guard Tres Tinkle missed his 19th straight game, and remains out indefinitely (broken right wrist). Senior center Cheikh N’diaye sat out his 16th consecutive game, and remains out indefinitely (left shoulder).
Southern California: Boatwright played his third game after missing 15 (sprained MCL left knee).
UP NEXT
Oregon State: plays at UCLA on Sunday.
Southern California: Plays fifth-ranked Oregon at home on Saturday night.
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