Marsh nets 20 to lift USC over Maryland

After tough road trip, Trojans' bench scores season-high 46 points in 88-71 win at home.

- BY RYAN KARTJE

The last time USC played on its home floor, more than three weeks ago, the tone of the Trojans' season felt decidedly different. They were 12-1, ranked in the top 25. Everything seemed to be trending in the right direction.

By the time they'd returned in the new year, that picture looked far more bleak. Two blowout losses in Michigan and a narrow overtime escape from Minnesota had made clear how tenuous the Trojans' early success had been. Then the timeline for star freshman Alijah Arenas' return was pushed back indefinitely, another foreboding sign in a season filled with them.

But after some dark days away from home and in desperate need of a night to find its footing, USC came to life

Tuesday on its home court in an 88-71 win over Maryland.

“We went through adversity on that road trip,” forward Jacob Cofie said. “I feel like we bounced back.”

It did so behind an explosive second half from point guard Jordan Marsh, who'd barely played during the Trojans’ previous three games. Against Maryland, Marsh single-handedly put the Terrapins away, scoring aseason high 20, 17 of which came in a scorching second half.