Nebraska's Second-Half Surge Secures Victory Over USC
In a thrilling showdown in Los Angeles, the Nebraska Cornhuskers showcased their resilience with a commanding second-half performance, defeating USC 82-67. This victory marked Nebraska's program-best 14th win in the Big Ten, solidifying their impressive season run.
USC, now grappling with a five-game losing streak, finds its NCAA Tournament hopes hanging by a thread. The Trojans will need a strong finish in their remaining regular-season games and the Big Ten Conference Tournament to keep their postseason dreams alive.
Pryce Sandfort was the star of the night, dropping a game-high 32 points for No. 12 Nebraska (24-2 overall, 13-4 Big Ten). Just one point shy of his season high, Sandfort's performance was pivotal in the Cornhuskers' comeback.
For USC (18-11, 7-11), Chad Baker-Mazara contributed 14 points and two blocks before an apparent injury forced him out of the game. Alijah Arenas and Kam Woods also chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Trojans came out strong in the first half, taking a 36-31 lead into the break. Their cohesive play and bench contributions, including a key layup by Kam Woods and timely 3-pointers from Jaden Brownell, helped USC maintain the edge early on.
USC's shooting was sharp in the first half, hitting 52% from the field, while Nebraska struggled at 35.3%. The Trojans' bench also outperformed Nebraska's, contributing 12 points to the Cornhuskers' three.
Despite being held to 2-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first half, Sandfort adjusted and led Nebraska's charge in the second half. The Cornhuskers unleashed a 15-0 run, flipping the script and taking control of the game with a 66-46 lead.
Baker-Mazara's absence in the second half was felt deeply by USC, as their shooting percentage dropped to 38.5%, and they went scoreless from 3-point range. Alijah Arenas tried to fill the gap, scoring back-to-back baskets, but it wasn't enough to halt Nebraska's momentum.
With Sandfort leading the way, Nebraska poured in 51 points in the second half, sealing their victory. As the Cornhuskers look ahead, USC faces a crucial road trip to Washington and a rematch with UCLA before the Big Ten Tournament kicks off at Chicago's United Center on March 10.