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USC’s Isaiah Mobley is guarded by Utah’s Riley Battin during their Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal on Thursday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Max Agbonkpolo #23 of the USC Trojans tries to steal the ball from Mikael Jantunen #20 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Drew Peterson #13 of the USC Trojans is guarded by Mikael Jantunen #20 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Head coach Andy Enfield of the USC Trojans reacts during his team’s game against the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans fouls Timmy Allen #1 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Head coach Larry Krystkowiak of the Utah Utes gestures during his team’s game against the USC Trojans during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans dunks against Branden Carlson #35 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans dunks against Branden Carlson #35 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans dunks against Branden Carlson #35 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans dunks against Branden Carlson #35 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Pelle Larsson #3 of the Utah Utes is guarded by Drew Peterson #13 of the USC Trojans during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Southern California’s Tahj Eaddy, left, and Utah’s Alfonso Plummer, right, fall in front of Mikael Jantunen (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Utah’s Timmy Allen (1) looks to pass around Southern California’s Chevez Goodwin, center, and Isaiah White during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Southern California’s Chevez Goodwin (1) grabs a rebound over Utah’s Mikael Jantunen (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Head coach Andy Enfield of the USC Trojans reacts during his team’s game against the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Utah’s Mikael Jantunen (20) shoots around Southern California’s Chevez Goodwin (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Utah’s Pelle Larsson (3) falls over Southern California’s Chevez Goodwin (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC’s Drew Peterson (13) shoots over Utah’s Timmy Allen, left, and Ian Martinez (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Utah’s Mikael Jantunen, right, fouls Southern California’s Evan Mobley, left, during the first overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC’s Isaiah Mobley, bottom, and Utah’s Jaxon Brenchley (5) react after a play during the second overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC head coach Andy Enfield speaks with his players at a timeout during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Utah in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC’s Evan Mobley, right, passes around Utah’s Mikael Jantunen, left, and Ian Martinez during the first overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC’s Evan Mobley (4) guards Utah’s Ian Martinez (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC’s Ethan Anderson (20) celebrates after a play against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC’s Evan Mobley, from left, Drew Peterson and Utah’s Eli Ballstaedt vie fore a rebound during the second overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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USC’s Evan Mobley dunks ahead of Branden Carlson #35 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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USC’s Isaiah Mobley #3 and Evan Mobley #4 talk on the court during their game against the Utah Utes in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans dunks against Branden Carlson #35 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 and Isaiah Mobley #3 of the USC Trojans try to secure a rebound against the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Sportscaster and former NBA player Bill Walton broadcasts a game between the Utah Utes and the USC Trojans during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans blocks a shot by Timmy Allen #1 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Mikael Jantunen #20 of the Utah Utes guards Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Mikael Jantunen #20 of the Utah Utes guards Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans passes against the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Drew Peterson #13 of the USC Trojans shoots against Timmy Allen #1 and Ian Martinez #2 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Pelle Larsson #3 of the Utah Utes fouls Ethan Anderson #20 of the USC Trojans during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans defeated the Utes 91-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS — At first, Evan Mobley missing the last 13 minutes of the first half with foul trouble seemed like a bad omen in USC’s Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal matchup with Utah.
It turns out, it was exactly what Mobley’s legs needed as the game extended to double overtime.
Mobley scored half of his career-high 26 points after regulation ended to lift the 24th-ranked Trojans to a 91-85 victory over Utah, which missed its final eight field-goal attempts of the game.
Second-seeded USC (22-6, 16-5 in Pac-12) will advance to the conference semifinals on Friday at 8:30 p.m. against the winner of the Colorado-Cal game that took place late Thursday night.
Isaiah White contributed 14 points while Tahj Eaddy and Drew Peterson each scored 13 to complement Mobley’s night.
But Mobley, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, had his fingerprints all over the game despite his early absence. He grabbed nine rebounds and blocked five shots. He set the tone after halftime with an early dunk after scoring just two points in the first half.
“I just stayed focused, stayed locked in, tried to encourage my teammates while they were playing without me,” Mobley said. “And in the second half just try to come in and attack. I was well-rested.”
The first overtime ended with seventh-seeded Utah (12-13, 8-12) simply running the perfect play and making a perfect shot. Head coach Larry Krystkowiak called timeout to draw up a 3-pointer for Alfonso Plummer, who nailed it over the long arms of the 7-foot Mobley to tie the score.
Tahj Eaddy’s layup at the buzzer on the other end was too strong, and the game went to a second extra period.
“Sometimes it can be deflating if you think you won the game or had a great chance to win it, and that happened twice to us,” Enfield said. “Our players did just an outstanding job of staying tough, staying focused and playing winning basketball in that second overtime.”
But the Trojans couldn’t get out of regulation with the win due, naturally, to free-throw shooting.
Ironically, USC, which has struggled mightily at the line this season, started the game 17 for 21 on its free throws. But with 14 seconds left and the Trojans clinging to a two-point lead, Ethan Anderson missed both of his attempts.
On the next possession, Anderson was called for a foul with 2.3 seconds left and Ian Martinez hit two from the line to tie the score. White’s quarter-court heave clanked off the rim to send the game to overtime.
Still, USC went 12 for 16 from the free-throw line in the two overtimes to pull out the win.
“You have to step up in close games when they intentionally foul you,” Enfield said.
When Mobley went to the bench with 13 minutes left in the first half, USC didn’t waver. After Utah took a four-point lead on a Riley Battin jumper, the Trojans went on a 9-0 run fueled by two Tahj Eaddy steals that turned into a dunk by Max Agbonkpolo and an Isaiah Mobley 3-pointer.
The Trojans’ first-half lead grew as big as nine on a White jumper, but USC settled for a five-point halftime advantage after holding the Utes to 40.9% shooting in the half.
“I thought they played really well without me,” Evan Mobley said.
Still, the Trojans accrued a lot of minutes. Isaiah Mobley played 46, Eaddy 44 and Peterson 42. It could come back to hurt USC in Friday’s semifinal, regardless of who the opponent is.
But with a potential spot in the Pac-12 championship game on the line, USC won’t hold anything back on Friday.
“Our guys are going to play big minutes again tomorrow,” Enfield said, “so they better be ready.”
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