Andre Hollins netted a team-high 14 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Tubby Smith earned his 500th career victory as No. 14 Minnesota dropped USC, 71-57, on Saturday at Galen Center,

Smith, a 22-year coaching veteran, became the 19th active coach to reach the 500-win plateau and improved his overall record to 500-214, including 113-69 in five-plus seasons with the Golden Gophers.

He has also had stints with Tulsa, Georgia and Kentucky, where he won a national title in 1997-98.

Rodney Williams Jr. netted 13 points and ripped down 11 boards, while Trevor Mbakwe added 12 points for the Golden Gophers (10-1), who have won six straight games. Joe Coleman donated 10 points and five boards in the triumph.

Omar Oraby netted a game-high 15 points, while Byron Wesley contributed 13 and five boards in the setback for USC (3-6), which has lost five straight.

Minnesota got off to a quick 13-4 lead with just over 14 minutes to play in the opening stanza, and an Mbakwe jumper with under 10 minutes to play in the half gave the Golden Gophers a comfortable 23-10 advantage.

A pair of free throws by Jio Fontan cut the USC deficit to nine with 3:50 left, but the Gophers held a 38-26 advantage at the intermission.

Minnesota maintained control throughout the second half as a pair of free throws by Williams gave the visitors a 47-30 lead with less than five minutes gone in the second 20 minutes.

Wesley later hit a jumper with under four minutes to play, which pulled the Trojans within nine, but the Golden Gophers held on for the victory.

Game Notes