Alijah Arenas Delivers Late-Game Heroics as USC Edges Penn State in Big Ten Thriller
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - When the game was hanging in the balance, USC didn’t hesitate. They put the ball in the hands of their rising star, and Alijah Arenas did what stars do - he delivered.
With just 0.7 seconds left on the clock, Arenas muscled in a go-ahead layup through contact to lift USC to a gritty 77-75 win over Penn State on Sunday afternoon. The Trojans, now 18-6 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play, overcame a 12-point second-half deficit and leaned on their late-game poise - something that’s becoming a calling card for this group.
This was USC’s seventh win this season by three points or fewer, the most among high-major programs. And once again, it came down to execution in the final seconds - with Arenas front and center.
The Final Sequence
Tied at 75 with seven seconds to go, USC inbounded the ball to Arenas on the right wing. He didn’t hesitate.
A quick spin move, a burst to the rim, and a tough finish in traffic sealed the deal. It was the exclamation point on a monster performance from the freshman, who scored 11 of USC’s final 13 points and finished with a game-high 24.
This wasn’t just a clutch moment - it was a statement. Arenas is emerging as the go-to guy in crunch time, and he’s doing it with the kind of confidence and composure that’s rare for a first-year player.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than four until the final minutes. Arenas got USC going early, scoring seven of the Trojans’ first 11 points, while Jacob Cofie provided a steady interior presence. Jordan Marsh’s three-pointer gave USC a 14-10 edge, but Penn State responded with a trio of threes - a rare hot streak for a team shooting just 32.6% from deep on the season.
Ezra Ausar brought the energy with nine first-half points, including back-to-back dunks in transition. Marsh added a corner three and helped force a turnover that led to a fast-break bucket for Arenas, giving USC a 32-28 lead. But the Nittany Lions closed the half on a 10-2 run to take a 40-36 lead into the locker room.
Then came the second-half surge - and the USC comeback.
Penn State opened the half with a 10-1 run, stretching their lead to 50-38. At that point, it looked like the Trojans might be in trouble.
But USC’s defense locked in, forcing four turnovers during a 9-0 run that cut the deficit to two. Marsh drilled another corner three to cap that stretch, and Kam Woods followed with five straight points to give USC its first lead of the second half, 56-55.
The Nittany Lions responded with a 7-0 burst of their own, reclaiming the lead at 65-64. But from there, it was all Arenas.
With 4:24 remaining, Gabe Dynes snatched an offensive rebound and kicked it out to Arenas, who buried a straightaway three to put USC back on top. Less than two minutes later, Arenas hit another triple - this time from the right wing - that bounced in and gave the Trojans a 72-68 cushion.
Still, Penn State wouldn’t go away. Josh Reed hit a clutch three, and Dominick Stewart’s layup cut the lead to one with 20 seconds left. Arenas knocked down three of four free throws in the final minute, but Fred Dilione V tied it at 75 with 12 seconds remaining.
That set the stage for Arenas’ game-winner - and another chapter in USC’s growing book of close-game wins.
Numbers That Matter
- Alijah Arenas: 24 points, including 11 in the final four minutes. He also recorded a season-high two steals and notched his second straight 20-point game.
- Kam Woods: 13 points, a season-high nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals.
He continues to be a defensive disruptor and a steady hand at the point.
- Ezra Ausar: 13 points, marking his 15th straight game in double figures. His transition play in the first half gave USC a much-needed spark.
- Jacob Cofie: 10 points and seven rebounds - his 11th double-digit scoring game this season.
- Gabe Dynes: Tied his season-high with four blocks and added seven rebounds.
His rim protection was pivotal, especially in the second half.
- Jordan Marsh: Nine points off the bench in 22 minutes, including two first-half threes that helped USC stay in the game early.
USC is now 7-1 in one-possession games and has played 12 games decided by six points or fewer - the most among high-major programs. That speaks to their resilience and ability to execute under pressure, traits that will matter even more as the calendar flips toward March.
This win also marks the Trojans’ first three-game winning streak since joining the Big Ten - a sign that they’re starting to settle into their new conference home.
Musselman’s Take
Head coach Eric Musselman didn’t shy away from acknowledging the slow start, but he was proud of how his team responded.
“Super proud of our second-half effort,” Musselman said. “We were really sluggish in the first half - didn’t play our normal defensive intensity. I thought when we put Alijah on Freddie Dilione V, it changed the complexion by making it a little harder for him to shoot over length.”
Musselman also praised the bench contributions from Jordan Marsh and Gabe Dynes.
“Gabe with the four blocks, he did a great job protecting the rim. Jordan Marsh became a three-point threat when they went zone. Kam Woods has changed our entire season since he came - we were severely lacking in creating extra possessions through steals, and he’s brought that edge.”
As for Arenas?
“He’s been phenomenal. We wanted the ball in his hands at the end, and I’m glad we got that iso at the top of the key. Great execution.”
What’s Next
With momentum building and confidence rising, USC is starting to look like a team that can do damage in the Big Ten. They’ve figured out how to win close games, they’ve got a budding star in Arenas, and they’re getting meaningful contributions up and down the roster.
The Trojans are finding their identity - and it’s one built on grit, defense, and clutch playmaking.