USC men's basketball continues hot start with Maul Invitational win

For the first time in program history, the USC Trojans are champions of the Maui Invitational. USC went into halftime locked in a 43–43 battle with their former Pac-12 foe, but clamped down defensively in the second half, holding the Sun Devils to just 32 points. The Trojans pulled away late to earn an 88–75 victory which is their largest margin of the tournament and their only double-digit win of the week.

Offensive Takeaways

The Trojans were without Rodney Rice, who suffered an injury in the second half of their semifinal win over Seton Hall. His absence forced others to elevate their offensive production, and they delivered. Chad Baker-Mazara unsurprisingly led all scorers with 26 points and logged a team-high 34 minutes. USC also saw three additional players reach double figures in Jaden Brownell (16), Ezra Ausar (14), and Jacob Cofie (11).

Brownell’s 16 points off the bench proved especially valuable, providing a crucial spark to help offset the loss of Rice. The Trojans shot a remarkable 59.6% from the field and dominated the battle in the paint, outscoring the Sun Devils 42–26.

Defensive Takeaways

Despite shooting nearly 60% from the field, the Trojans also imposed their will defensively. They held Arizona State to roughly 42% shooting overall and just 32% from beyond the arc. USC also controlled the glass, winning the rebounding battle 32–21.

Perhaps the most impressive defensive feat came after halftime. With the game tied at 43, the Trojans never allowed the Sun Devils to reclaim the lead in the second half. Their active, swarming defensive effort set the tone and it’s a major reason USC leaves the Maui Invitational as tournament champions.

Whats Next

The Trojans return to action on Dec. 2 for a road matchup against Oregon. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET), with coverage available on FS1.