Overview
- USC led by as many as 19 in the second half before Rutgers cut the margin to three in the closing seconds.
- Rutgers had the ball with about five seconds remaining, but a turnover by Tariq Francis ended the rally and sealed the Trojans’ win.
- USC shot 51% to Rutgers’ 39%, held a plus-7 rebounding edge, and finished plus-12 in points in the paint.
- Ezra Ausar scored 21 and Jacob Cofie recorded a double-double for USC; Francis led Rutgers with 26 as Dylan Grant added a double-double.
- The matchup reflected season trends, with USC among the nation’s tallest and stronger on the glass, and Rutgers next visiting UCLA on Tuesday.