EUGENE, Ore. — The USC men’s basketball team survived a stiff road test to begin conference play and remained unbeaten.
Chad Baker-Mazara capped his 25-point night by sinking a step-back 3-pointer with 1:02 left and Jacob Cofie added 17 as No. 24 USC defeated Oregon, 82-77, on Tuesday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
USC, which entered the AP Top 25 on Monday for the first time in more than two years, improved to 8-0 to continue its best start since the 2021-22 season.
“I’m super impressed with our ability to win close games,” USC coach Eric Musselman said. “This is now the fourth time. We’re having limited bodies, but to be 8-0, win a road game, and our first Big Ten game. I’m super impressed with guys stepping up when their name is called. … Our guys keep figuring out a way to close games, which is hard to do.”
Again playing without leading scorer Rodney Rice due to an injury, the Trojans (8-0 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) pulled away in the final two minutes. USC shot 50.9% from the field, including 8 for 21 from 3-point range.
Cofie scored 16 of his 17 points in the first half to buoy the Trojans against a strong start for Oregon (4-4, 0-1), while Ezra Ausar scored all 13 of his points (to go with eight rebounds) in the second half. Jaden Brownell and Jerry Easter II each added 11 points.
“In that second half, we really had to go to Ezra, and he did a great job drawing free throws, putting pressure on the rim,” Musselman said. “Our pick and roll with Chad and Ezra has been really, really good. Ezra’s a great dynamic roller, and he can short-roll and then put pressure off his dribble bounce game because he’s so powerful. He’s got great quickness.”
Oregon dropped its fourth straight game despite Kwame Evans Jr. leading the way with 23 points and nine rebounds. Takai Simpkins added 17 points (4 for 6 from 3-point range) and five assists for the Ducks, who had won five straight against the Trojans. Oregon played its second straight game without 7-foot center Nate Bittle, who leads the team with 16.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
The Trojans led for much of the second half, but not by more than six points until the closing minute.
Sean Stewart dunked to get Oregon within 73-72 with 3:12 left before Baker-Mazara scored to put USC ahead by three. After Simpkins made one of three free throws, Baker-Mazara faked a drive toward the lane, pulled back and fired from near the top of the key, pushing USC’s lead to 78-73 with 1:02 left after Oregon missed a prime opportunity to force a tie. Easter added two free throws to push the Trojans ahead 80-73.
Oregon shot just 14 for 22 (63.6%) from the free-throw line in the second half, finishing 17 for 26 (65.4%) for the game. The Ducks shot 10 for 23 (43.5%) from 3-point range.
USC scored nine straight points late in the first half to grab a 39-37 lead before Oregon tied it at 39-all by halftime.
“The first half, we were just too sloppy with the basketball, and we didn’t defend Oregon’s 3s well enough,” Musselman said. “As the game wore on, we settled into who we really are. We outrebounded Oregon, which was one of our themes going into the game. We took better care of the basketball and defended the 3-point shot better.”
Cofie scored 16 points in the first half and Baker-Mazara added 12 as USC shot 55.6% from the field. Shelstad had 11 points in the half for Oregon.
Evans scored 16 points after the intermission as USC focused its defense on slowing Shelstad.
UP NEXT
USC returns home to host Washington on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Oregon visits UCLA on Saturday at 3 p.m.
