The Tigers (8-2) controlled the game most of the way in the first road appearance for James in a packed Auburn Arena with dozens of NBA scouts watching. The Trojans (5-5) dropped their third straight game.

The son of NBA superstar LeBron James, Bronny James scored five points in 14 minutes, making three of four free throws late. He couldn’t corral the ball on an alley-oop chance in the final two minutes, prompting a chant of “overrated.” But Auburn fans mostly didn’t react to his presence on the court.

Auburn had five scorers in double figures. Denver Jones had 12 points while Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell each had 11.

Boogie Ellis led USC with 22 points. Isaiah Collier and Oziyah Sellers each had 13. Collier fouled out.

James had made his college debut at home a week earlier in an overtime loss to Long Beach State with his father on hand. LeBron James, whose Lakers host the New York Knicks on Monday night, wasn’t in Auburn Arena for this one.

Bronny James’ mother, Savannah, watched from right behind the USC bench.

James entered the game with 16:28 left to a moderate buzz from the fans and played mostly short stints, but he wasn’t able to spark a rally. In fact, the Trojans were outscored by 17 with him on the court in the first half and trailed 49-35 at halftime.

James suffered cardiac arrest in July during a workout at Galen Center. He was found to have a congenital heart defect that was treatable.

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USC started a four-game road stretch. The Trojans have lost three consecutive regular-season games for the first time since losing to Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State from Feb. 1-8, 2020.

Auburn has won 49 consecutive home non-conference games and is creeping closer to the Associated Press top 25.

Up next for USC: visits Alabama State on Tuesday night.