Thrilling Finish for USC
In a thrilling finish, Alijah Arenas delivered a standout performance by scoring 11 critical points in the closing four minutes, leading the University of Southern California (USC) to a narrow 77-75 victory over Penn State on Sunday. Arenas capped off his game-high 24 points with a decisive layup that put his team ahead with just 0.7 seconds left on the clock.
Key Moments
Prior to this dramatic finish, Penn State’s Freddie Dilione tied the game at 75 with a layup, making the stakes even higher. Following a timeout called by USC to advance the ball, Arenas received the inbounds pass, maneuvered expertly to the right block, and elegantly banked a shot off the glass to secure the win.
Player Contributions
Kam Woods also had a notable contribution for USC, scoring 13 points, along with a personal best of nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Teammates Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie played significant roles as well, each adding 13 and 10 points respectively, with Cofie collecting seven rebounds.
On the other side, Penn State’s Dilione was the standout for the Nittany Lions, putting up 23 points on an efficient 10-of-18 shooting. His performance was complemented by Josh Reed, who scored 17 points including 8 of 11 from the field, while Ivan Juric and Dominick Stewart chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Despite these efforts, Penn State has struggled significantly, losing 10 of its last 11 games.
Game Dynamics
The game fluctuated dramatically, with Penn State initially taking a 10-point lead after a strong start and entering halftime with a 40-36 edge. However, a lengthy drought in the second half saw the Nittany Lions miss eight consecutive shots. Capitalizing on this slump, USC mounted a stunning 22-5 run, reversing the course of the game and enabling them to pull ahead late.
Upcoming Matches
Next up for USC is a game against Ohio State on Wednesday, while Penn State will be traveling to Washington on the same day.
