USC basketball: Trojans win eighth straight, beating Arizona State, 47-37

Calling this a defensive struggle is like calling ocean wet.

USC won its eighth straight game Saturday night, topping Arizona State, 47-37.

The teams came into the game tied for third nationally in scoring defense (55.8 points allowed per game), so it wasn't a major surprise that the Trojans and Sun Devils posted season-low point totals.

After the Trojans led, 23-16, at halftime, it seemed a stretch that either team would break 50.

The Trojans (10-4 overall, 2-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference) shot 36% from the field (15 for 42). The Sun Devils (10-5, 0-2) shot 24% (11 for 45).

An NBA scout got up to leave with three minutes left.  "Nobody is getting any open shots," he said.

USC made just enough, again.

--Baxter Holmes

Photo: USC forward Alex Stepheson pulls a rebound away from Arizona State's Eric Boateng in the first half Saturday. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times