Southern California beats Arizona State 47-37 for 8th straight win

USC beats Arizona State 47-37 for 8th straight win

LOS ANGELES — Marcus Johnson and Mike Gerrity scored 12 points each and Southern California defeated Arizona State 47-37 Saturday night for its eighth consecutive victory and first 2-0 start in the Pac-10 since 2001-02.

The Trojans (10-4) survived a tight defensive battle in which they made 15 field goals to just 11 for the Sun Devils (10-5, 0-2), who fell to 0-4 at Galen Center under fourth-year coach Herb Sendek.

Demetrius Walker scored 11 points and Jamelle McMillan 10 for Arizona State, which was held under 40 points for the first time since a 69-37 loss to Minnesota in the Maui Invitational on Nov. 27, 1991.

It was the fewest points ever under Sendek for the Sun Devils, whose previous low came in a 42-41 victory over California on March 3, 2007.

Arizona State trailed 23-20 on a basket by Rihards Kuksiks early in the second half, the closest the Sun Devils came.