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Gibson helping USC replace Mayo

Nov 20, 2008 - 11:23 AM No. 20 Southern California (2-0) at Seton Hall (2-0) 7:00 p.m. EST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Ticker) -- Taj Gibson is helping Southern California forget about the departure of O.J. Mayo.

Gibson and the 20th-ranked Trojans eye their third straight win on Thursday when they face Seton Hall in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic.

The winner plays either No. 12 Memphis or Tennessee-Chattanooga on Friday.

The junior forward, Gibson tied a career-high with 22 points and grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds helping Southern California hold off upset-minded New Mexico State, 73-60, on Tuesday.

The Trojans' second-leading scorer with 17 points during their season-opening win against California-Irvine, Gibson has helped fill the void left by Mayo, who led the team in scoring, assists and steals as a freshman last season before being selected third overall during June's NBA Draft.

Gibson may have a harder time against Seton Hall, which is coming off a 71-50 triumph over Columbia on Sunday after forging a 27-point victory against St. Francis (New York) during its campaign opener.

Pirates forward John Garcia had 11 points and 14 rebounds against Columbia while low-post partner Robert Mitchell added 10 and seven boards. Garcia and Mitchell should limit Gibson's production and force USC to find scoring elsewhere.