LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Freshman Evan Mobley scored 17 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and his older brother Isaiah scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half as USC defeated Drake, 72-56, Saturday in an NCAA men's basketball tournament first-round game.

The Trojans, who are seeded sixth in the West Region, will next play Monday, facing third-seeded Kansas, a 93-84 winner over 14th-seeded Eastern Washington earlier Saturday, again at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the home court of the NBA's Indiana Pacers.


What You Need To Know

  • USC defeated Drake, 72-56, on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament

  • The Trojans, who are seeded sixth in the West Region, will next play Monday, facing third-seeded Kansas

  • USC is 88-5 in its last 93 games when holding the opposition to under 70 points, dating back to February 28, 2015

USC led 40-37 at halftime. Junior guard Drew Peterson scored four points during an 8-0 run that increased the Trojans' lead to 51-40 with 14 minutes, 50 seconds to play.

The Bulldogs last pulled within 10 when sophomore guard Joseph Yesufu made a 3-point basket with 6:35 left, cutting the deficit to 57-50. USC scored the next eight points on 3-point baskets by Peterson and Tahj Eaddy and two free throws by Isaiah Mobley to take a 65-50 lead with 4:35 remaining. USC led by at least 13 for the rest of the game.

Peterson added 14 as the Trojans (23-7) advanced to the second round for the first time since 2017, their most recent tournament appearance.

Yesufu had a game-high 26 for Drake (26-5), making eight of 22 shots, including six of 11 3-point attempts.

The Bulldogs last advanced past the tournament's first round in 1971. Their 53-52 victory over Wichita State Thursday in a First Four game was their first tournament win since March 18, 1971 when they defeated Notre Dame, 79-72, in a Midwest Region semifinal.

USC is 88-5 in its last 93 games when holding the opposition to under 70 points dating back to February 28, 2015, including an 18-2 record this season.