Oregon Ducks Triumph Over USC Trojans
In a thrilling encounter on Saturday, the Oregon Ducks pulled off a surprising 71-70 victory over the USC Trojans, largely thanks to a clutch performance by Kwame Evans Jr. who netted 21 points. The Ducks closed out the game with a decisive 7-0 run in the final 59 seconds, showcasing their late-game resilience.
Key Performers
Nate Bittle also made significant contributions for Oregon, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals. His two clutch free throws with just 10 seconds remaining put the Ducks ahead for good. Alongside him, Takai Simpkins and Drew Carter added 12 and 11 points, respectively, helping Oregon improve their season record to 10 wins and 17 losses, and 3 wins against 13 losses in the Big Ten Conference.
On the other side, the Trojans had standout performances from Chad Baker-Mazara, who scored 21 points before fouling out, and Ezra Ausar, who contributed 15 points and pulled down 11 rebounds before also exiting the game due to fouls. Alijah Arenas chipped in with 13 points for USC, who fell to a record of 18-9 and a conference mark of 7-9.
Game Highlights
As the game reached its climax, Jacob Cofie managed to hit 1 of 2 free throws, extending USC’s lead to 70-64 with just over a minute left. However, Evans quickly responded with a layup, drawing a foul from Ausar, but failed to convert the accompanying free throw. Following a chaotic scramble for possession, Carter found Evans for a critical three-pointer, narrowing USC’s lead to just one point.
In the final moments, Baker-Mazara fouled out while attempting to defend a lob pass to Bittle in the lane, who converted both the free throw attempts to seal the Ducks’ victory.
Looking Ahead
This win marks Oregon’s fourth consecutive victory in road games at USC, setting a thrilling tone for their upcoming matchup against 24th-ranked Wisconsin on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Trojans are set to face their cross-town rivals UCLA on Tuesday in a matchup that promises intensity as both teams aim to enhance their postseason aspirations.
