USC leaned on toughness, defense, and timely execution down the stretch to hold off Washington State, securing a 68–61 win at home in a game that swung momentum multiple times.
Jacob Cofie set the tone for the Trojans with a dominant performance inside, controlling the glass and finishing efficiently around the rim. His presence gave USC stability whenever the Cougars threatened to take control. Chad Baker-Mazara played a key all-around role, consistently getting to the free-throw line and making plays on both ends despite a difficult shooting night from deep. Ezra Ausar also provided a steady scoring lift to keep the offense moving.
USC built separation midway through the first half with an aggressive run that showcased its physicality and defensive pressure. Washington State responded before the break and carried that energy into the opening minutes of the second half, trimming the deficit to a single possession and turning the contest into a grind.
In the final minutes, Washington State stayed within striking distance behind timely shooting, cutting the margin to three with under three minutes remaining. USC answered with strong interior play, a key defensive stop in transition, and clutch free throws that sealed the outcome in the closing seconds.
The Trojans struggled from long range but compensated by attacking the paint and capitalizing at the free-throw line, a decisive factor in the win. Washington State matched USC from the field overall and relied heavily on perimeter attempts, but couldn’t overcome the free-throw disparity late.
With the victory, USC continued its strong start to the season, showing composure in a tight, physical matchup that tested its depth and discipline.
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