USC vs #6 Gonzaga (Charity Game) | Full Game Recap | October 26, 2024

The Gonzaga Bulldogs fell to the USC Trojans, 96-93, in a season-opening charity exhibition game from Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, on Saturday.

The Zags, who debuted at No. 6 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, got off to a slow start and fell behind by as many as 11 points to the Trojans, who were led by Michigan transfer Terrance Williams' 20 points. Gonzaga was led by Arkansas grad transfer Khalif Battle, as the 6-foot-5 guard scored 20 points against his former coach Eric Musselman.

Battle got the starting nod alongside Ryan Nembhard in the backcourt, while Michael Ajayi, Ben Gregg and Graham Ike made up the starting frontcourt. Nolan Hickman played 29 minutes off the bench and finished with 12 points.

Both teams shot 26-of-33 from the free-throw line in a game that didn't track personal fouls for disqualification. Gonzaga scored 22 second-chance points to USC's 13, though the Trojans won the battle in the paint, 38-32.