Lewis recovers a ball from Arizona’s Budinger. (Wily Low / AP)

USC started Thursday night’s game at Arizona playing like it was all on the line. Likely one game away from a tourney berth, a combination of strong shooting and staunch defense took the Trojans up 9-2 to start the game. And it wasn’t over there. USC built the big lead with contributions from Mayo, Jefferson, Gibson, Lewis and Johnson, getting up by as much as 16. But USC hit a wall and the momentum swung back to the Wildcats as Arizona went on a 10-0 run with minutes left in the first half. By half-time Arizona hacked the lead down to 9.

Then it got interesting…

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The second half started with the momentum still in Arizona’s half of the court. Slowly but surely, Arizona whittled the Trojans lead down to a basket. As it happens all to often, the Trojans were playing not to lose, rather than focusing on putting the Cats away. And it cost them. With about 7:00 left on the clock, Jefferson went up trying to block a shot and came down awkwardly. Obviously hurting, Jefferson was helped off the court by his teammates. He game back a game-minute later after getting checked out, but didn’t seem have his usual “presence” until his dunk in the final seconds.

Still USC held on, even increasing their lead back up to six. With 2:30 left on the clock, Hackett reminded the guys why they missed him so much, hitting a jumper and increasing the lead back to 8. Hackett had been out for a few weeks, resting a minor stress fracture. A Jefferson dunk and a Mayo basket later, and USC beat Arizona 70-58.

Jefferson had a nice double-double with 15 points and 14 assists. Mayo hit his 20 points, 3 rebounds and added 7 assists. Taj Gibson had 14 points and 5 rebounds. In his first game back Hackett hit two clutch baskets including a 3 to swing the momentum back towards the Trojans, and a basket in the closing minutes to put it out of reach for Arizona.

*Stats from ESPN-U