LOS ANGELES — Saint Thomas had enough. The black mask that has covered Thomas's face due to a broken nose had become more of a distraction than a healer.
Thomas flung his mask aside before stepping on the court with 48 seconds left, as USC led 68-67. The air felt fresh, and the game looked a lot clearer for an unmasked Thomas. He knew it was his time.
“It was very difficult to see… I knew I was going to have to step up and hit a big shot,” Thomas said.
At the top of the key, Thomas took a dribble handoff from center Josh Cohen and nailed a three-point dagger with 18 seconds left to lift USC (2-0) to a 75-69 nonconference victory Thursday over Idaho State (0-2) before 3,731 at Galen Center.
BULLSEYE 🎯
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) November 8, 2024
Saint Thomas makes it a two possession game late for @USC_Hoops #B1GMBBall on @BigTenPlus 📺 pic.twitter.com/9deplyVSWa
In a tight-knit game for the Trojans, USC needed their heartbeat the most. Thomas’ last effort helped seal a shaky match that saw the Trojans and Bengals go down to the wire. But, the energy that Thomas plays with is what brought him from Nothern Colorado to USC.
“[Musselman] told me to wear that identity when I got here,” Thomas said. “My approach to the day is I want to get better and dominate. If I go like that every day, I know I will make the guys better.”
The Trojans struggled across the board. USC failed to consistently knock down their open looks from three, shooting a staggering 25 percent from beyond the arch. Idaho State manhandled the paint, outrebounding USC 40 to 28.
“We have to rebound the ball better, that's plain and simple,” coach Eric Musselman said. “Overly concerned about our defensive rebounding.”
But Thomas kept the Trojans afloat with his versatility as a player. USC has yet to find a true point guard, but Thomas filled that void Thursday night. The graduate forward finished with nine assists.
“[Thomas] sees the game in a unique way, he doesn't see the game like a normal college basketball player,” Musselman said.
“He sees second, third, and fourth options, whereas other guys see one option.”
Playing the point guard position has not been in Thomas's repertoire in the past. However, at USC, Musselman has given Thomas more responsibility as a ball handler and a leader.
“I was prepared for it, and I told coach, ‘I am ready to play any position,” Thomas said.
The win advanced USC to its second straight win, but for Thomas, the Thursday victory was deeper than just a regular-season win. Idaho State is a familiar foe for Thomas, who spent the past season at Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference.
Last year in the conference tournament, Idaho State got the last laugh, bouncing Thomas and Nothern Colorado in the first round. Thursday gave Thomas a chance at revenge, and he answered.
“Some of those [Idaho State] guys were a little sick,” Thomas said.
USC’s Josh Cohen scored 19 points. Wesley Yates scored 13 points. Thomas had 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Bengals’ Dylan Darling scored 22 points. Isaiah Griffen scored 10 points.
Next, the Trojans host UT Arlington Mavericks (1-0) on Nov. 13.