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Jeff Trepagnier’s return to Southern California’s lineup has given the Trojans’ offense a big lift. But it was his defense that made the difference against California. 

Trepagnier recorded his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and he also made five steals and keyed a defense that forced the Bears into 21 turnovers as the 21st-ranked Trojans rolled to an 80-66 victory Saturday night. 

“It’s nice to have Jeff back,” said USC coach Mike Bibby. “Each game he’s getting a little better at not forcing turnovers and letting the things come to him.” 

Trepagnier missed the first three games of the season with a hairline fracture in his left foot then served a nine-game suspension for violating athletic department rules. 

Trepagnier, in just his eighth game of the season, shut down California guards Shantay Legans and Donte Smith. 

“I just had to get in where I fit in,” Trepagnier said. “I couldn’t just come in and try to force things.” 

Legans scored 15 points for the Bears but sat out almost 12 minutes of the first half after picking up his second foul against Trepagnier at the 14-minute mark. Legan’s backup, Smith, missed all five of his shots and committed three turnovers. 

Sean Lampley matched his career high with 29 points to lead California, which lost at home for the first time this season. The Bears (15-6, 6-3 Pac-10) had won their first 11 games at Haas Pavilion this year, and 14 consecutive dating to last season. 

Lampley was the only California player who didn’t struggle against USC, which was coming off a 77-71 loss to top-ranked Stanford on Thursday — a game the Trojans led by seven at one stretch. 

Against the Bears, USC (16-5, 6-3) had no such letdown. 

The Trojans, led by Sam Clancy’s 25 points, jumped to an early lead and never looked back, recording 12 steals and forcing the Bears into 21 turnovers. 

The Trojans led 39-27 at halftime then broke the game open with an 18-3 run to start the second half. 

Center Brian Scalabrine scored 15 points for the Trojans and moved into ninth place on USC’s career scoring list. He needs just 62 points to move past Gus Williams into eighth place. 

Lampley said California’s problem was that it hadn’t gotten over beating UCLA 92-63 on Thursday. 

“The whole thing was we were satisfied with the win against UCLA and came out thinking (USC) was going to lay down and die,” said Lampley, who had 16 points in the first half. “To me, this is one of the best teams we’ve played. This team is a good team. They played ball tonight.” 

Bears coach Ben Braun agreed. 

“Any time you have a hint of complacency, just a hint, that’s the result of what happens,” Braun said. “Our players clearly didn’t have that urgency early and when we tried to pick it up it was too late.”