USC reaches finals of Maul Invitational but loses Rodney Rice to injury

The USC Trojans emerged victorious in their semifinal matchup of the Maui Invitational, defeating Seton Hall 83-81 and advancing to the final. This win extends their winning streak to six games, marking a promising start to the season. 

Offensive Takeaways 

The Trojans heavily relied on their three star scorers this game, with Ezra Ausar (25 points), Chad Baker-Mazara (18 points), and Rodney Rice (13 points) all achieving double figures. Rice was having an exceptional performance before he left the game in the second half with what seemed to be a shoulder injury.

The Trojans capitalized on their size and athleticism, putting the Seton Hall defense in challenging positions. This resulted in the Trojans securing 38 free throw attempts, successfully converting 31 of them. Additionally, the Trojans had their best offensive game of the season, shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc

Defensive Takeaways

The Trojans faced a formidable Seton Hall offense that exerted consistent pressure on their defense. The Trojans’ defense struggled to secure the game until the very end. Despite allowing the opposition to shoot 56% from the field, the Trojans managed to put together a complete game in the rebounding department.

This rebounding effort ultimately led to their victory, as they won the battle of rebounds 35-21. This statistic is likely the primary reason for USC’s win, as they only conceded four second-chance points compared to USC’s eleven. Additionally, the Trojans successfully blocked four shots, tying Seton Hall and providing an even ground in shot-altering throughout the game.

What’s Next

The Trojans will face former Pac-12 foe Arizona State in the championship game of the Maui Invitational on November 26 at 11:30 a.m. PT (2:30 p.m. ET). The game will be televised on ESPN.