Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – Nikola Vucevic scored 24 points and Alex Stepheson had 14, leading Southern California to a 73-56 upset of No. 19 Texas in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

The Trojans (5-4) also got 12 points from Maurice Jones and 11 from Marcus Simmons to snap a two-game slide.

Texas (6-2) was led by 17 points from J’Covan Brown and 12 from Jordan Hamilton. It was the Longhorns’ first loss since a setback to Pittsburgh on Nov. 19.

USC carried a 35-27 lead into the second half and started it with a 13-1 run, capped by Stepheson’s jumper for a 48-28 advantage.

The Longhorns cut their deficit to 10 with a 13-3 burst that ended in Hamilton’s three-pointer with 11:35 remaining. But USC’s lead was quickly up to 15 just three minutes later on Vucevic’s jumper to make it 56-41.

Texas trimmed the difference to nine, 63-54, on Hamilton’s free throw at 2:21 but would never get closer as the Trojans cruised to the 17-point win.

Game Notes

USC took a 6-5 lead in the all-time series…The Trojans shot 49 percent in the game — including 56 percent in the second half. Texas shot just 32 percent for the game, including 25 percent in the second half.