INDIANAPOLIS — The USC Trojans defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 97-89, in double overtime during the first round of the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
On to the next one‼️ pic.twitter.com/TQ3kcqeS78
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) March 13, 2025
Three players from the Trojans scored in double figures, leading the team to victory. Desmound Claude topped the scoring with 28 points, followed by Wesley Yates III with 24 points and Rashaun Agee with 23 points. With this win, the Trojans advanced to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, where they are scheduled to play the Purdue Boilermakers on Thursday night.
The Trojans managed to force overtime in the final seconds of the fourth quarter after holding a 15-point lead. Claude tied the game with just nine seconds remaining in regulation. Throughout the second half, the Scarlet Knights were in control; however, Rutgers' Jeremiah Williams missed a crucial free throw with 19 seconds left. Had he made it, it would have given Rutgers a three-point lead. This missed opportunity allowed Claude to tie the game and push it into overtime.
Calm, cool and collected @DesmondClaude
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) March 13, 2025
📺 @peacock pic.twitter.com/6XpdnzP6l0
During the first overtime, both teams traded baskets while also committing several turnovers. USC ended the game with 21 turnovers compared to Rutgers' 12. Despite this, Rutgers still managed to lose. Their defense struggled to defend the perimeter, allowing USC to make 10 of 23 from beyond the arc. Williams attempted to make up for a missed free throw by taking a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, but he missed, and USC forced a second overtime.
The Trojans began the second overtime with a strong 10-2 run. Claude drove to the basket, and Agee hit a three-pointer, which gave USC a surge of momentum. The energy continued to build for the Trojans, as Yates III excelled from beyond the arc, making all four of his three-point attempts. He finished the game with 24 points and played a team-high 50 minutes.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman in the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Eric Musselman faced a challenging game after his team suffered a blowout loss to UCLA on Saturday night. In response to the criticisms they received, the team rallied and implemented a solid game plan to counter two of the top lottery picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. Rutgers’ Dylan Harper led the night with 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Ace Bailey finished with 17 points and seven rebounds before fouling out late in the second half. Together, they combined to shoot just 2 of 11 from three-point range.
The Trojans held Rutgers to a shooting percentage of 42.9% from the field and 20.0% from three-point range. The Scarlet Knights managed to stay competitive by scoring 31 points off the 21 turnovers committed by the Trojans. USC (16-16, 7-13) will need to replicate this strong performance on Thursday as they face Purdue (21-10, 13-7) in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
