TUCSON, Ariz. _ Everywhere USC looked, there was Arizona.
The Wildcats flew threw the air for rebounds, blocks and alley-oops. In the lane stood two seven-foot players wearing white jerseys who may as well have been walls.
No. 13 Arizona played inspired, coming off consecutive losses against Washington and UCLA, and USC could not match their physicality in a 81-67 loss Saturday night at the McKale Center.
The Trojans (17-9, 8-5 Pac-12 Conference) have lost eight straight in Tucson dating to 2008.
And suddenly, a season that less than weeks ago appeared destined for March with the Trojans on a six-game win streak, has turned into one of uncertainty.
A win Saturday would have given USC a share of the lead in the Pac-12.
Instead, after three consecutive losses at UCLA, Arizona State and Arizona (20-6,10-3), the Trojans fall into a log jam of five-loss teams.
USC's defense, which sparked their six-game run, became their downfall at Arizona.
The Wildcats shot 56 percent (32-57). Guard Rawle Alkins finished with 20 points, forward Deandre Ayton scored 18 and center Dusan Ristic had 16.
The Trojans' shot 44 percent (24-54), struggling throughout the game to solve the Wildcats' defense as they forced errant shots, often with the shot clock set to expire.
Chimezie Metu scored a team-best 18 points and Jordan McLaughlin, held scoreless in the first half, finished with 16.
Nick Rakocevic finished with 12 before fouling out with 4:37 remaining.
Derryck Thornton made his first start of the season in place of Shaqquan Aaron, who did not play.
Thornton finished with seven points and three assists.
The Wildcats started fast from the opening whistle.
They made five of their first six shots to take a 12-7 lead before the Trojans started to settle in.
An Elijah Stewart three, Metu layup followed by a pair of Rakocevic buckets in the paint tied the game at 20.
But the Trojans, as they've been known to do, went cold.
Arizona went on a 9-0 run to take a 27-20 lead. USC did not score for 3:19.
The Wildcats took a 37-31 lead into halftime behind three Alkins' three-point baskets.
The Trojans were 2-9 from three-point range in the first half and shot just 40.7 percent (11-27). The Wildcats were 5-10 from three, and made 53 percent of their shots.
USC went on a 10-0 run early in the second half behind consecutive three-point baskets by McLaughlin before Arizona pulled away for good.
