Los Angeles, CA — USC held off the Indiana Hoosiers, earning an 81–75 victory behind Alijah Arenas’ career night of 29 points and six rebounds, securing the Trojans’ third straight win.
Game Plan Set Early
USC had entered the matchup with a clear game plan to limit Indiana from beyond the arc and control the glass. Against one of the Big Ten’s better three-point shooting teams, the Trojans executed that plan and paired it with big time shot-making to earn an 81–75 win over Indiana.
USC set the tone immediately, winning the opening tip and striking first as Chad Baker-Mazara beat the shot clock with a three, to open the game. Indiana answered right back behind Lamar Wilkerson, who knocked down a three of his own before Nick Dorn followed with a floater to put the Hoosiers ahead early.
Back-and-Forth First Half
The opening minutes featured quick answers on both ends. Alijah Arenas drilled a left-wing three, while Baker-Mazara stepped into a sidestep triple to push USC back in front. Ezra Ausar facilitated early, tallying three assists before the first media timeout as USC built a small advantage. Defensively, Arenas made his presence felt with a block that led to a dump-off assist through traffic, and USC forced Indiana into a shot-clock violation during a strong defensive stretch.
Indiana stayed connected behind Wilkerson, capitalizing in transition after USC failed to convert on multiple offensive rebounds by Dynes. Wilkerson’s three swung the momentum briefly, but Arenas responded by attacking off the dribble, hitting a midrange jumper and finishing through contact to reclaim the lead. Kam Woods added a tough left-handed finish through traffic, and Jacob Cofie cleaned up a missed three with an and-one putback sparking USC’s home crowd.
The teams continued to trade baskets late into the half. Tayton Conerway tied the game at 30 with a drive to the rim, but USC closed strong at the free-throw line. Cofie and Arenas combined to convert late trips to the stripe, allowing USC to take a 35–30 lead into halftime. Wilkerson led Indiana with 13 points at the break, while Arenas paced USC with 10.
Arenas Takes Over After the Break
USC’s Alijah Arenas, the first man out of the locker room from either team at halftime, really showed out in the second half.
Indiana opened the second half aggressively, trimming the deficit, but Arenas answered with a baseline fadeaway to start his offensive hot streak for USC. Wilkerson continued to attack downhill, yet USC responded with defensive pressure and transition offense. Arenas jumped a passing lane and went coast to coast, and Cofie followed by knocking down two free throws to extend the lead.
Adjusting Through Adversity
Momentum briefly shifted early in the half when Baker-Mazara went down and exited to the locker room with 19:00 remaining on the clock. His absence forced USC to adjust on the fly, but the Trojans responded with poise. Ausar finished a three-point play after cleaning up a missed layup, and moments later, Cofie found Woods in the right corner for a three, pushing USC’s lead to double digits.
USC began to separate midway through the half behind Arenas’ shot-making. He attacked the middle, absorbed contact, and converted a pull-up jumper, then drilled back-to-back threes from the top of the key to restore a 10-point cushion after Indiana cut the lead to four. Each Indiana push was met with a USC response, as Woods continued to make winning plays in transition and at the free-throw line.
Closing Strong and Looking Ahead
Indiana made one final surge late. Wilkerson, who finished with a game-high 33 points, hit a triple and later drew a foul to cut the deficit to two following a steal and-one with 31.5 seconds remaining. USC answered calmly. Jordan Marsh knocked down both free throws to make it 77–73, and Ryan Cornish delivered a massive defensive play with a late block. Arenas and Cornish sealed the game at the line as USC closed out the 81–75 victory.
Arenas finished with 29 points and six rebounds in his most complete performance of the season. Woods added 18 points and provided crucial scoring during Indiana’s runs, while Ausar’s energy, rebounding, and passing helped USC control the tempo. Indiana was held to 29 percent shooting from three, a number USC believed was key to the win.
After the game, head coach Eric Musselman emphasized how connected his group is, particularly highlighting the chemistry between himself and Woods. Musselman noted that despite having very few conversations together, Woods knows exactly what is expected of him and consistently delivers within his role. Musselman also praised Arenas’ confidence and self-creation, saying the freshman continues to earn more freedom as the season progresses.
When asked about an update on Baker-Mazara, Musselman added there is currently no update on his status, noting it is most likely an MCL sprain. With injuries continuing to test the roster, Musselman credited the team’s next-man-up mentality and highlighted that the bench players believe that anyone in uniform can contribute to winning.
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USC now heads into a challenging road stretch carrying momentum from a disciplined, resilient win built on defense, balance, and trust.
