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USC escaped Happy Valley with its NCAA hopes intact after a wild finish Sunday, when freshman guard Alijah Arenas created late and converted a spin move layup as time expired to lift the Trojans to a 77-75 win at Penn State. The shot snapped a tense game and kept USC from suffering a damaging loss as the regular season heads into its final weeks.
How Arenas delivered the last-second score
The final possession unfolded with urgency. USC pushed the ball into the halfcourt. Arenas split defenders, turned his shoulder and drove the lane. With under a second left he released a difficult runner that fell through the net, giving the Trojans a two-point lead.
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The play came after a back-and-forth closing stretch, one where mistakes and turnovers almost proved costly. But Arenas’ finish erased a tense sequence and sent the visiting bench into celebration.
Why this victory matters for USC’s NCAA positioning
Every late-season game carries outsized importance for teams on the bubble. USC entered the day in that precarious zone, where one bad result can alter bracket projections.
- Record impact: The win keeps the Trojans in the conversation for March.
- Conference implications: A victory at Penn State helps steady USC’s Big Ten résumé.
- Mental lift: Snapping close-game anxiety can affect confidence heading into tougher matchups.
Alijah Arenas: comeback story and emerging offensive force
Arenas missed the start of the season after a serious car crash. His return has been marked by a quick rise in responsibility and production.
Against Penn State he scored 24 points, adding to a recent 29-point game versus Indiana. Those outings suggest the freshman is finding rhythm after an early shooting slump.
From limited games to increased role
He has appeared in only six contests so far, but his scoring output has forced coaches to lean on him in crunch time. With a natural scoring touch, Arenas is beginning to shape USC’s late-game options.
Lineup shifts and injury context
USC had to adapt on Sunday. Wing Chad Baker-Mazara missed the game with an injury, thrusting Arenas into a larger offensive role. That absence changed matchups and play-calling late.
Coach Eric Musselman now faces decisions about rotations should Arenas keep producing and Baker-Mazara remain sidelined.
What to watch next for the Trojans and bubble watchers
USC’s margin for error is slim. Important upcoming tests will reveal whether this win was a turning point or a narrow escape.
- Next up: a road game at Ohio State, another team near the bubble.
- Follow-up: a high-profile home date with No. 5 Illinois.
- Key questions:
- Can Arenas sustain his scoring over a textured Big Ten schedule?
- Will the Trojans remain healthy, particularly at wing?
- How will Musselman manage minutes in back-to-back marquee matchups?
Implications for selection and momentum
Bracketologists will watch the next two games closely. A pair of wins would strengthen USC’s bid. Losses could force a re-evaluation of the Trojans’ standing.
Key dates to track:
- Ohio State — upcoming road test.
- No. 5 Illinois — challenging home matchup.
