USC Falls Short Against Northwestern Despite Late Push: Free Throws, Cold Shooting Prove Costly
LOS ANGELES - USC men's basketball dropped a tough one at home Wednesday night, falling 74-68 to Northwestern in a game that came down to execution in the final minutes - or the lack thereof.
The Trojans, now 14-5 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten play, found themselves playing catch-up for most of the second half. But with just under five minutes to go, they trimmed Northwestern’s lead to a single point.
That late surge, led by Ezra Ausar and Jordan Marsh, gave the Galen Center crowd reason to believe. Unfortunately, belief wasn’t enough.
USC went 1-for-5 from the field in the final two minutes, while Northwestern calmly sealed the deal at the line, going 5-for-6 down the stretch.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a game USC lost because of effort. They battled.
They out-rebounded Northwestern 39-33, matched the Wildcats in turnovers (six apiece), and got strong second-half performances from key players. But the numbers don’t lie - and 26-for-43 from the free throw line (60.5%) is a stat that stings.
Especially when Northwestern hit 83.3% of theirs. For the second straight game, USC’s struggles at the stripe came back to bite them.
Marsh and Ausar Lead the Charge
Jordan Marsh was electric in the second half. After a quiet first 20 minutes, the sophomore guard erupted for 19 points - all after the break - and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. It’s the third time this season he’s notched double-digit points in the second half alone, and his ability to get into the paint and draw contact gave USC a much-needed offensive spark.
Ezra Ausar added 17 points and continued to be a steady presence inside. He was aggressive, physical, and showed leadership down the stretch, helping USC claw back into the game with a pair of key buckets in the final minutes.
Chad Baker-Mazara chipped in 14 points and passed the 1,500 career-point milestone with his first three-pointer of the night. Freshman Alijah Arenas, making his much-anticipated debut, added eight points, two rebounds, and two assists - and gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come.
Arenas’ Debut: A Flash of Star Power
Arenas didn’t waste time making an impression. His first basket came off a smooth midrange jumper, but it was his second that had the crowd buzzing.
After catching a long outlet pass near the Northwestern bench, Arenas crossed up his defender - who hit the deck - then sliced through two more Wildcats for an acrobatic layup that brought the Galen Center to its feet. It was a moment that showed both his poise and his flair, and while he’s still finding his footing, the talent is undeniable.
First-Half Stumbles, Second-Half Fight
USC started strong, with Baker-Mazara scoring eight of the team’s first 14 points. The Trojans built a 20-13 lead midway through the first half, but the offense sputtered from there. Over the final 10 minutes before the break, USC managed just two field goals, allowing Northwestern to close the gap and take a 31-28 lead into halftime.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair. Northwestern leaned on Nick Martinelli - the Big Ten’s leading scorer - who dropped seven points in the first seven minutes of the half. Marsh responded with relentless drives and clutch free throws, helping USC stay within striking distance.
With just over five minutes to play, Marsh hit a pair of free throws, then converted a fast-break layup after a Northwestern turnover to make it 60-59. But the Wildcats answered with a quick 5-0 run that looked like the dagger. USC responded again, cutting it to 65-63 with under three minutes left.
Then came the backbreaker.
With the shot clock winding down and just 1.6 seconds on the possession, Northwestern inbounded a cross-court pass to Martinelli, who buried a tough fadeaway jumper from the baseline to push the lead back to four. USC never got closer.
Missed Opportunities and a Familiar Frustration
The loss marks the second straight game where free throw shooting has been a major issue for the Trojans. And in a tightly contested conference like the Big Ten, those missed points at the line can be the difference between climbing the standings or falling behind.
Head coach Eric Musselman didn’t sugarcoat it postgame.
“We got to do a way better [job] teaching guys how to defend without fouling,” Musselman said. “We’re undisciplined. We go for shot fakes.”
He also pointed to a lack of urgency in the locker room after recent losses, saying, “There was definitely not enough hurt after the last game... Only they know internally in that locker room how much that Purdue loss hurt, and how much tonight hurts.”
Voices from the Locker Room
Marsh, who worked tirelessly on his free throws leading up to the game, was locked in on what needs to change.
“Just being more connected and knocking down free throws and just playing desperate, that’s really it,” he said.
Ausar echoed that sentiment, emphasizing accountability and consistency.
“I think we need to get better overall - as a player, as a team, as coaching,” he said. “How you finish practice is how you’ll finish a game.”
He also spoke about the importance of character and learning to grow together as a group - a reminder that this team is still evolving, still building its identity.
Looking Ahead
USC now sits at 6-5 all-time against Northwestern, and Coach Musselman remains winless against the Wildcats. Wednesday’s starting five - Kam Woods, Alijah Arenas, Chad Baker-Mazara, Jacob Cofie, and Ezra Ausar - saw their first action as a unit and will look to build chemistry moving forward.
There’s no shortage of talent on this roster. The pieces are there.
But if the Trojans want to turn close losses into wins, it’s going to take more than flashes of brilliance. It’s going to take consistency, especially at the free throw line, and a collective commitment to tightening up the details.
The Big Ten schedule doesn’t get any easier from here. But if USC can channel the lessons from this one - and find a way to close - they’ll be a tough out for anyone.