The energy inside the Galen Center on Saturday afternoon was, honestly, a little confusing. You had a home crowd in Los Angeles, but for long stretches, it sounded more like a satellite campus for a school in West Lafayette, Indiana. If you’re checking your phone to see who won usc game, the short answer is that the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers managed to escape with a 69-64 victory over the USC Trojans.
It wasn't pretty. Not at all.
For anyone who actually sat through the final three minutes, it was a masterclass in "winning ugly." USC had the lead, the momentum, and a genuine chance to topple a top-five giant. Then, everything kinda fell apart.
How the Trojans Let It Slip
Basically, the game was a tale of two different collapses. USC started like they were shot out of a cannon, jumping to a massive 22-8 lead. Gabe Dynes, their 7-foot-5 tower, was a problem early on, throwing down a dunk that felt like it might actually shake the foundation of the building. But Purdue isn't the fifth-ranked team in the country by accident. Braden Smith, who ended up being the best player on the floor, single-handedly dragged the Boilermakers back into it with a 30-10 run to close the first half.
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But let's look at the H2 moment of the night: the final three minutes.
Trailing 60-57, Purdue outscored USC 12-4 down the stretch. Most of those points came from the free-throw line. It was frustrating to watch if you're a Trojans fan. While Purdue was sinking their shots at the stripe, USC was struggling. Honestly, the free-throw shooting was the difference. USC went a dismal 5-of-14 from the line. In a five-point game, you don't need a math degree to see where the win went.
The Braden Smith Factor
You can't talk about who won usc game without mentioning Braden Smith. The guy was everywhere. He finished with 22 points, but it was his defensive play with 23 seconds left that sealed the deal. He picked a Trojan's pocket at midcourt and took it all the way for a layup. That put Purdue up 65-62 and effectively broke the spirit of the home crowd.
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- Purdue's key stats: 69 points, 41.8% shooting, and their 9th straight win.
- USC's key stats: 64 points, 40-28 advantage in points in the paint, but a disastrous 35.7% from the free-throw line.
Beyond the Box Score: The Big Ten Context
This game mattered for more than just a notch in the win column. Because of this victory, Purdue has now moved into a first-place tie with Nebraska in the Big Ten standings. They are currently 17-1 overall and 7-0 in conference play. USC, on the other hand, drops to 14-4 and 3-4 in the Big Ten.
It’s a bit of a reality check for the Trojans. They proved they can run with the elite, but their inability to close out games against ranked opponents is becoming a bit of a pattern. Chad Baker-Mazara led USC with 15 points, but he struggled from deep, missing six of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. Jacob Cofie was a bright spot, though, grabbing a monster 15 rebounds to go along with 13 points.
What most people get wrong about this matchup is the "home court advantage." Because there were so many Purdue fans in attendance, it felt like a neutral site game at best.
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What’s Next for the Trojans?
If you're looking for a silver lining, USC's defense actually held Purdue to their second-lowest scoring output of the entire season. The Boilermakers usually shoot over 50%, but the Trojans held them to under 42%. That's elite defensive work.
Now, the focus shifts. USC has to turn the page quickly because the Big Ten schedule doesn't get any easier. They have to fix the "free throw problem" immediately. In a league as physical as this one, leaving nearly ten points on the table at the charity stripe is basically asking for a loss.
To keep up with the latest Trojans action, you should keep an eye on the upcoming home stand where they'll look to bounce back against Maryland. The Big Ten race is far from over, but the margin for error just got a lot thinner for the boys in cardinal and gold.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Free Throws: If USC doesn't improve from the line in their next three games, expect more heartbreakers like this one.
- Monitor the Standings: Purdue is now the team to beat in the Big Ten, tied with Nebraska. Every USC game now has massive implications for tournament seeding.
- Appreciate Jacob Cofie: He’s becoming a double-double machine and is arguably the most consistent part of this USC roster right now.
The Trojans have the talent to be a top-tier team, but as Saturday showed, talent doesn't mean much if you can't hit your free throws when the lights are brightest.