GAME NOTES: A pair of six-win teams collide on Sunday afternoon as the USC Trojans travel cross-country to face the Boston College Eagles in a non- conference tilt at the Conte Forum.

After three losses in four games to start the season, USC had won its next five games to earn a 6-3 record. But the Trojans fell back to 6-4 in their last outing when they took an 85-77 overtime loss at the hands of Army.

Boston College started its season in a nearly similar way. The Eagles dropped three contests in their first five of the new campaign, but have since won four in a row, with a recent 63-49 victory over Binghamton as they team's latest outing.

USC leads the all-time series with Boston College by a 3-0 margin. The Trojans and Eagles met on the floor last season in Los Angeles, where USC came away with a 78-62 decision.

Andy Enfield's squad has picked up the pace this season, although the Trojans have a long way to go if the team's last outing is any indication. USC shot 40.3 percent from the floor in the loss, and connected on just 4-of-19 from 3- point range against the Black Knights. Army owned the overtime period, shooting 4-of-5 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Jordan McLaughlin netted 24 points to pace USC, adding five rebounds and five assists to his resume. Katin Reinhardt chipped in with 17 points, and Nikola Jovanovic tallied a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Trojans made 15 free throws in the contest, but missed another 13.

USC's offense has performed well this season, entering this game with Boston College netting 67.9 ppg on 41.4 percent shooting from the field. It's been USC's defense that has let the team down so far, allowing 66.6 ppg to opponents, along with an average of 37.2 rpg. McLaughlin leads the Trojans in scoring, netting 14.0 ppg with a team-high 54 assists. Jovanovic (11.3 ppg) and Reinhardt (10.5 ppg) are the other two double-digit scorers. Jovanovic and Darion Clark each check in with a team-best 8.4 rpg.

Boston College will get USC at home, where the Eagles are currently 5-0 on the season. In fact, BC has yet to play a true road game. The Eagles will be looking to do to USC what they did to Binghamton, which was hold the Bearcats to 30.2 percent shooting from the floor and under 50 points in the game. Old Dominion transfer Dimitri Batten scored 18 points to lead Boston College in the win, while Aaron Brown netted 16 and Olivier Hanlan chipped in with 14 and five rebounds.

Hanlan, who was seemingly the only real effective scorer for the Eagles a season ago, is back at the top of the team's scoring list this season, netting 16.1 ppg on 45.4 percent shooting. Brown (15.2 ppg) is the only other Eagle to average a double-digit scoring total. Batten (8.4 ppg) has started in four games for BC and is feeling more comfortable in the new offense. The Eagles are scoring 67.1 ppg this season, and are allowing 62.8 ppg to opponents. Dennis Clifford's 5.7 rpg mark is the best on the squad coming in.

These teams are evenly matched in terms of scoring numbers and players that are capable of taking the game over, but USC has a disadvantage in traveling across the country to take on the Eagles, who are unbeaten at home.