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USC Trojans fight on in Big Ten tournament with 2OT win over Rutgers

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•03/12/25•

ErikTMcKinney

USC Trojans forward Saint Thomas (0) shoots the ball while Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
USC Trojans forward Saint Thomas (0) shoots the ball while Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)

The season continues for the USC Trojans as Eric Musselman’s program pulled off a 97-89 win in double overtime over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Desmond Claude, Rashaun Agee and Wesley Yates III all eclipsed the 20-point plateau as the Trojans shot 51.7% from the floor and connected on 10-of-23 three-point attempts.

Claude finished with a game-high 28 points to go along with eight assists. Yates had 24 points and hit all four of his three-point attempts. Agee had the game’s only double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds to go along with five assists and a steal.

The Trojans let 15-point first-half lead, an 11-point halftime lead and 13-point second-half lead evaporate as Rutgers took a 64-63 lead with 4:07 to play. The Scarlet Knights eventually held a 73-69 lead with just 36 seconds to play. The Trojans took advantage of two huge Rutgers missed free throws with 19 seconds left and Claude tied the game with just nine seconds left in regulation.

The two teams couldn’t separate during the first overtime but three-pointers by Agee and Yates gave the Trojans some breathing room to start the second overtime. Yates scored nine points over those final five minutes as he connected on a layup and four three throws to seal the victory.

All three of the first round games of the conference tournament produced upset results according to seeding. No. 13 Northwestern beat No. 12 Minnesota to kick things off. No. 15 Iowa then beat No. 10 Ohio State before the No. 14 Trojans took down The No. 11 Scarlet Knights.

Next up for USC

The Trojans move on to the second round of the tournament and will take on No. 6 Purdue in the late game Thursday night. That game will air on Big Ten Network.

Tip off is scheduled for 25 minutes after the conclusion of No. 7 Illinois vs. No. 15 Iowa, which begins at 4:30 pm PT.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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