COLUMBUS -- This was a winnable game for the USC Trojans.
The Trojans, in the midst of a three-game winning streak, were heading to Columbus, Ohio, to play the Ohio State Buckeyes with more than enough confidence against a Big Ten Opponent.
Freshman Alijah Arenas has been the spotlight for this Trojan squad during their nice stretch of games, scoring more than 20 points in each of those games, including notching 25 points during Wednesday's game against the Buckeyes, but it wasn't enough with USC's unwillingness to score in the second half, and they would evidently fall to Ohio State, 89-82.
Both halves for USC were practically the same.
In each of the two halves, the Trojans shot just 38%, and overall, shot 42% for the game.
Ezra Ausar led USC in first-half points, notching 11 on 3-5 shooting from the field, but would not be a factor in the second half of the contest as he would foul out on a costly reach-in attempt.
In back-to-back games, Arenas stole the show in the second half, as he led the Trojans with 16 second-half points on 4-11 shooting.
With the final five minutes of regulation coming to a close, the Buckeyes held a slim margin against the Trojans.
In the Trojans' last possession of the game, Arenas's uncoordinated pass to Ryan Cornish in the corner turned into a costly turnover, which sealed the game for the Buckeyes.
The relentless shooting from the Buckeyes was also a main catalyst that kept the Trojans at bay, with Ohio State managing to score four out of their five final field goal attempts.
With this loss, USC falls to 18-7 and heads back home next Wednesday to host the Illinois Fighting Illini.
