USC Rolls Past UTSA Behind Second-Half Surge, Ausar’s Dominance
LOS ANGELES - For the first 17 minutes Wednesday night, USC looked like a team still trying to find its rhythm. But once the Trojans flipped the switch, there was no looking back.
Powered by a 57-point second half and a near-flawless stretch from Ezra Ausar, USC blew past UTSA, 97-70, at the Galen Center. The Trojans outscored the Roadrunners 70-39 over the final 23 and a half minutes, turning a tight contest into a full-blown rout.
Let’s start with the engine behind the blowout: Ausar. The sophomore forward didn’t just control the paint-he owned it.
He went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in the second half and finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with just over four minutes left. It marked his first double-double in a USC uniform and the ninth of his career.
In a season where USC has been searching for consistent frontcourt production, Ausar’s emergence is starting to look like more than just a hot streak.
But he wasn’t alone. Chad Baker-Mazara poured in 20 points-17 of them after halftime-while Ryan Cornish delivered a breakout performance with a season-high 18 points.
That’s a massive leap for Cornish, who had scored just seven total points in his first six games as a Trojan. His confidence looked different Wednesday night.
He was aggressive, decisive, and finally looked like a player who belongs in USC’s rotation.
USC’s offense found its groove in the paint, where it outscored UTSA 42-22. The Trojans made all eight of their dunk attempts and converted 9-of-14 layups. That kind of efficiency near the rim is a coach’s dream, especially for a team still figuring out its identity amid injuries and lineup changes.
The turning point? A 13-0 run to close the first half.
Down 31-27 with 3:30 left before the break, USC caught fire. Cornish, Ausar, Baker-Mazara, and Jordan Marsh all hit key buckets to flip the momentum and give the Trojans a 40-31 lead at halftime.
That run stretched into a 17-0 burst early in the second half, capped by two Baker-Mazara free throws that pushed the lead to 44-31. From that point on, USC never led by fewer than nine.
Defensively, USC continues to show growth. The Trojans held UTSA to just 34.9% shooting from the field-marking the third straight game they’ve held an opponent under 40%. That’s a promising trend for a team that’s been forced to adjust on the fly due to injuries.
And those injuries aren’t minor. Alijah Arenas remains sidelined after tearing his meniscus over the summer and won’t be re-evaluated until January.
Rodney Rice, who hurt his shoulder during the Maui Invitational, has been ruled out for the season. Amarion Dickerson is dealing with a hip injury suffered earlier this month and is expected to miss three to four months.
That’s three key rotation pieces unavailable, and yet USC continues to find ways to win-now sitting at 11-1 on the season.
To be fair, the level of competition hasn’t exactly been elite. UTSA drops to 4-7 with the loss, and USC’s last three opponents have a combined record of 11-21.
Still, Wednesday night was about handling business-and the Trojans did just that. After a shaky performance against Washington State earlier in the week, this was a step in the right direction.
Next up: one final tune-up before the holiday break. USC was originally scheduled to face Brown this weekend, but that game was canceled due to the recent shooting on Brown’s campus.
Instead, the Trojans will host UC Santa Cruz, a Division III team, on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT.
The Banana Slugs come in with a 5-6 record. The game won’t impact USC’s RPI or NET rankings, but it will count in the win-loss column.
After that, it’s a big one: a road trip to face No. 2 Michigan on January 2. That game will be a true measuring stick-and a chance for USC to show just how far this group has come.
Player of the Game: Ezra Ausar
9-of-13 from the field. 22 points. 10 rebounds.
First double-double as a Trojan. Fourth 20+ point game this season.
That’s the kind of production that changes the ceiling for this team.
Turning Point: The 17-0 Run
What began as a 13-0 burst to close the first half extended to 17-0 early in the second. In less than four minutes of game time, USC turned a four-point deficit into a double-digit lead-and never looked back.
Key Stat: 34.9% Shooting for UTSA
USC’s defense is quietly locking in.
Even with key players out, the Trojans have held three straight opponents under 40% from the floor. That’s the kind of defensive consistency that travels.
What It Means: Job Done, Eyes Forward
This wasn’t a resume-building win, but it was a necessary one.
USC looked sharper, deeper, and more connected-especially in the second half. The real tests are coming.
But for now, the Trojans are handling their business.