LOS ANGELES — Desmond Claude scored 26 points and made consecutive shots down the stretch to help USC beat UT Arlington, 98-95, on Wednesday night at the Galen Center.
Claude made a layup and jumper to give USC a 94-90 lead with 19 seconds left. Jaxon Ellingsworth then hit a 3-pointer to pull UTA to within 94-93 with 12 seconds left before Terrance Williams II and Saint Thomas each made a pair of free throws to help the Trojans hold on.
UTA made four 3-pointers during a 23-11 run to take its first lead of the second half at 69-68 with 11:54 remaining. Kade Douglas scored eight points and Ellingsworth added six during the stretch.
Williams answered with a layup and Kevin Patton Jr. added a one-handed dunk to put the Trojans ahead 72-69 with 10:30 left. Then neither team had more than a one-possession advantage until Claude put the Trojans ahead by four in the final seconds.
Claude shot 9 for 12 from the field and made 8 of 9 free throws to go with eight assists and five rebounds. Josh Cohen scored 19 points and Williams finished with 18 for USC (3-0). Wesley Yates III added 14 points.
Jaden Wells scored 27 points and Ellingsworth had 19 for UTA (1-2). Wells made seven 3-pointers and Ellingsworth hit four for the Mavericks, who shot 16 for 24 (67%) from long range.
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USC opened the game with a 17-5 run and led 51-42 at halftime. Cohen scored 12 first-half points and Yates had 10. Wells made six 3-pointers and scored 20 points in the first half for the Mavericks.
It was the first meeting between the teams.
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USC hosts Cal on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.