In their first-ever cross-country trip to Happy Valley, USC men's basketball delivered a thriller - and it came down to the final shot.
With the game tied at 75 and just seconds on the clock, it was freshman Alijah Arenas - yes, the son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas - who rose to the moment. Arenas buried a last-second jumper to lift the Trojans to a dramatic 77-75 win over Penn State, capping off a back-and-forth battle that saw both teams trade momentum like heavyweight fighters.
First Half: Trading Blows and Finding Rhythm
Early on, neither team could find much of a rhythm. The opening minutes were a grind - the kind of cold start you might expect from a coast-to-coast tipoff.
But it didn’t take long for things to heat up. USC’s Jacob Cofie and Penn State’s Josh Reed got both squads going, and by the first media timeout, the score was knotted at 6-6.
Arenas got involved quickly, tallying four early points, while Reed matched him for the Nittany Lions. The two teams mirrored each other’s intensity, and with just under 13 minutes left in the first half, USC held a narrow 11-10 edge.
Then came a flurry of threes. Jordan Marsh knocked one down for the Trojans, and Ivan Juric - back in action after missing two games with the flu - answered right back for Penn State. Juric’s return gave the Nittany Lions a noticeable lift, and the energy started to shift.
Penn State’s young frontcourt stepped up next. Seven-foot freshman Justin Houser and sophomore Dominick Stewart each hit from deep, sparking a mini-run that gave the Nittany Lions a 19-16 lead.
Both teams found their shooting touch as the half progressed. By the 7:38 mark, the game was tied at 25. Arenas was pacing USC with seven points, while Reed and Freddie Dilione led Penn State with six apiece.
The final minutes of the half saw both teams trading buckets and momentum. Dilione hit a three to give Penn State a brief lead, but USC answered quickly. Marsh connected from beyond the arc, and Arenas capitalized on a turnover to push the Trojans ahead, 32-28.
Dilione kept Penn State in it, scoring four straight to tie the game at 34, and the Nittany Lions closed the half strong. They locked in defensively and surged ahead 40-34 before USC trimmed the lead to 40-36 at the break.
At halftime, Dilione led all scorers with 13 points, while Reed added 10. For USC, Arenas and Ezra Ausar had nine apiece.
Second Half: Runs, Responses, and a Wild Finish
Penn State came out of the locker room firing. Juric and Stewart combined for five quick points, and before long, the Nittany Lions had stretched their lead to 50-38. Dilione and Stewart continued to push the pace, and at the first media timeout of the second half, Penn State was up 53-42.
But USC wasn’t going anywhere.
The Trojans responded with a 9-0 run, fueled by defensive pressure and Penn State’s missed opportunities at the line. With just over 12 minutes to play, the Nittany Lions' lead had shrunk to four, 55-51.
Then came a momentum swing. Kam Woods converted an and-one, and suddenly USC had the lead, 56-55. From that point on, it was a game of inches - and free throws.
With both teams in the bonus, every possession mattered. USC clung to a slim 60-56 lead with under nine minutes to go, as Penn State switched to a 2-3 zone in an effort to slow the Trojans down.
Juric returned from a brief injury stint and immediately gave Penn State a boost. The Nittany Lions clawed back and retook the lead, 65-64, with just over four minutes remaining.
But Arenas had more to say.
The freshman knocked down a clutch three to put USC back on top, 67-65. Then, with 1:18 left, he drilled another from deep to extend the lead to 72-68. Reed answered with a triple of his own to pull Penn State within one, 72-71, with under a minute to go.
USC kept their composure at the line, hitting key free throws to maintain a 75-73 lead with 17.7 seconds remaining.
Then came the play that nearly sent the game to overtime. Dilione took the ball coast-to-coast, slicing through the defense for a smooth finish at the rim to tie it at 75 with just 7.3 seconds left.
But USC had one more possession - and one more shot.
Arenas, already having a standout night, took the final look. And he didn’t miss.
With the clock winding down, he rose up and buried the game-winner, sealing a 77-75 victory for the Trojans in a game that had everything - momentum swings, big shots, and a freshman stepping into the spotlight.
Final: USC 77, Penn State 75.
Arenas led the way in crunch time, showing poise beyond his years. For USC, it was a statement win on the road. For Penn State, it was a tough loss in a game that could’ve gone either way.
But one thing’s for sure - this one will be remembered.