It was a wild night at Williams Arena on January 9, 2026, as the USC Trojans men’s basketball team narrowly escaped with a 70-69 overtime victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In a contest that saw double-digit swings, clutch performances, and a frenetic finish, the Trojans managed to steady themselves just in time to secure a much-needed road win and snap Minnesota’s five-game home winning streak.
USC, coming off tough losses to Michigan and Michigan State, appeared to have the game firmly in hand midway through the second half. The Trojans built a 53-40 lead with just under ten minutes left on the clock, riding the hot hand of Chad Baker-Mazara, who would ultimately finish with a game-high 29 points. But anyone who thought the Gophers would quietly fade away was in for a surprise. Minnesota, led by their relentless guard Cade Tyson, responded with grit and a barrage of timely shots, orchestrating a furious comeback that had the home crowd on its feet.
Tyson, who logged his ninth 20-point game of the season, poured in 20 points on 5-of-16 shooting, including three triples, and added eight rebounds, four assists, a block, and a steal over a full 45 minutes of play. He was the catalyst in a late 7-0 Minnesota run, capped by two free throws that gave the Gophers a 63-62 lead with just 45 seconds remaining in regulation. The momentum had clearly shifted, and the energy at The Barn was electric.
But the Trojans weren’t ready to head home empty-handed. On the ensuing possession, Gabe Dynes stepped to the line and calmly knocked down one of two free throws to tie the game at 63. Both teams had chances to win it in regulation—Tyson missed a tough fadeaway jumper, and USC couldn’t get a final shot off before the buzzer—sending the contest into overtime, where nerves and execution would be put to the ultimate test.
In the extra session, Jaden Brownell buried a three-pointer to open the scoring for USC, and Ezra Ausar, who had a strong night with 14 points and nine rebounds, added a clutch two-pointer late in the shot clock. Still, Minnesota refused to go quietly. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson drained a three with just 27.5 seconds left, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and giving the Gophers a 69-68 lead. The upset was suddenly within reach.
Then came the defining moment. Baker-Mazara, who had been held scoreless since the 8:58 mark of the second half, drove into the lane and was fouled by Langston Reynolds with 10.9 seconds left. With the game—and perhaps USC’s season trajectory—hanging in the balance, Baker-Mazara coolly knocked down both free throws in a one-and-one situation. According to the official Minnesota Athletics recap, "Baker-Mazara went to the line for a 1-and-1 situation with 10.9 seconds left and made both attempts, putting the Trojans up one."
With the Trojans clinging to a 70-69 lead, Minnesota advanced the ball and called timeout. The play was drawn up for Tyson, and he managed to get free for a 15-foot baseline jumper. The shot, however, caromed out of bounds with just 0.2 seconds remaining—USC had survived. The Trojans forced Minnesota’s leading scorer into a tough look, and it was enough to clinch the win.
Baker-Mazara’s performance was nothing short of heroic. After a season-low four points in USC’s previous outing, he erupted for 29 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including four three-pointers on 10 attempts and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. He also contributed eight assists and eight rebounds, shouldering a massive offensive load while his teammates struggled from deep—no other Trojan hit more than one three-pointer. As USC coach Andy Enfield (not directly quoted in the sources, but widely known as the team’s head coach) might say, this was the kind of performance that can turn a season around.
Ausar’s interior presence was equally vital, as he not only scored 14 points but dominated the glass with nine rebounds. Dynes and Jacob Cofie each chipped in nine points, and Kam Woods played a season-high 44 minutes at point guard, tallying four points, four assists, and three rebounds. The Trojans as a team shot 43.9% from the field (25-of-57), 28.6% from beyond the arc (6-of-21), and a season-best 82.4% from the free throw line (14-of-17), a stat line that proved crucial in such a tightly contested game.
Minnesota, for their part, had four players in double figures. In addition to Tyson’s 20, Bobby Durkin added 13 points (including three triples) and six rebounds, Langston Reynolds finished with 12 points and six boards, and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson contributed 10 points. Isaac Asuma ran the point efficiently, handing out six assists to go with his eight points, while Grayson Grove chipped in six points and three rebounds. The Gophers shot 38.7% from the floor (24-of-62), 34.3% from three (12-of-35), but struggled at the line, making just 9-of-15 free throws.
The win improved USC’s record to 13-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play, while Minnesota dropped to 10-6 and 3-2 in conference. Notably, this was the Gophers’ first home loss of the season (previously 9-0) and snapped their five-game winning streak at The Barn. USC also dominated the rebounding battle, 42-33, and outscored Minnesota 34-22 in the paint, imposing their will inside when it mattered most.
Injuries have been a challenge for the Trojans this season. Alijah Arenas, recovering from a summer meniscus tear, is practicing with the team and expected to return later in January barring setbacks. Rodney Rice is out for the season after a shoulder injury at the Maui Invitational, and Amarion Dickerson’s hip injury will keep him sidelined for three to four months, putting his return in jeopardy.
Looking ahead, USC finally heads home after a grueling road trip. They’ll host Maryland at the Galen Center on January 13, 2026, in a Big Ten matchup airing at 7:30 p.m. PST on FS1. The Terrapins, led by first-year head coach Buzz Williams, have struggled this year, sitting at 7-8 overall and winless in conference play. For Minnesota, the next test comes quickly as they wrap up their homestand against Wisconsin on January 13, with tipoff set for 6:00 p.m. CST on Big Ten Network.
What a night for college hoops fans—a game that had it all: big leads, dramatic comebacks, clutch free throws, and a finish that’ll be remembered in both Minneapolis and Los Angeles. For the Trojans, this could be the win that gets their season back on track. For the Gophers, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but the fight they showed will serve them well as Big Ten play heats up.
