LOS ANGELES — The USC Trojans proved that resilience and depth can outshine adversity, defeating the Maryland Terrapins 88-71 on January 13, 2026, at the Galen Center. Despite a roster marred by injuries and missing key contributors, USC showcased its bench strength and collective spirit, much to the delight of the home crowd. The Trojans, now 14-3 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play, leaned on a balanced attack and stifling defense to secure the win and get back to .500 in conference action.
Coming into the matchup, USC faced a daunting challenge. Already without Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas, and Amarion Dickerson, the Trojans were dealt another blow when star guard Chad Baker-Mazara—averaging nearly 20 points per game—was limited to just eight first-half minutes due to a neck injury. Baker-Mazara managed to score seven points before exiting, leaving head coach Eric Musselman to rely on his supporting cast. Musselman later admitted, "I didn't know" if Baker-Mazara would be available for the next game against Purdue, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the Trojans' health.
Yet, it was precisely this adversity that brought out the best in USC's role players. Jordan Marsh, thrust into extended point guard duties, delivered a career night. Marsh poured in a season-high 20 points, with a remarkable 17 coming in the second half. He hit four of USC's eight three-pointers and added four assists and four rebounds, all while committing just one turnover. Marsh's timely shooting and poise under pressure earned him the unofficial title of Player of the Game. According to the AP, "Jordan Marsh hit four 3-pointers and finished with 20 points, both season highs, to help USC beat Maryland 88-71 on Tuesday night."
But Marsh wasn't alone in lifting the Trojans. Big man Gabe Dynes, making only his third start of the season, made his presence felt in the paint. Dynes scored 10 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and blocked a shot, anchoring a USC frontcourt that dominated the interior. The Trojans outscored Maryland 44-14 in points in the paint—a critical margin that reflected both their size advantage and Musselman's tactical emphasis on attacking inside. The Sporting Tribune captured the action, with images of Dynes throwing down dunks and finishing tough layups over Maryland defenders.
Reserve guard Jerry Easter II also stepped up, scoring 10 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting while providing energetic defense. Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie each contributed 12 points, as USC placed five players in double figures. Ausar's three-point play in the second half sparked a decisive 10-0 run, giving the Trojans the lead for good at 58-52 with 13:51 left. The game, which had featured eight ties and six lead changes, quickly shifted in USC's favor from that moment.
Maryland, meanwhile, was paced by the electric scoring of David Coit. The graduate transfer from Kansas erupted for 30 points, including a trio of three-pointers, keeping the Terrapins within striking distance for much of the night. Coit has now recorded three 30-plus point games this season, a testament to his scoring prowess. However, Maryland's supporting cast struggled to keep pace. Solomon Washington added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Darius Adams chipped in 11 points. The Terrapins, now 7-10 overall and 0-6 in Big Ten play, have lost four straight and seven of their last eight contests.
The first half was a rugged affair, with both teams combining for 22 fouls—11 apiece. USC managed to close the half on a high note, taking a 42-41 lead into the break after a Marsh three-pointer and two clutch free throws from Kam Woods. The Trojans shot an impressive 52% from the field (34-of-66) and improved to a perfect 14-0 this season when hitting at least 40% of their shots. Musselman's squad also showed discipline, limiting themselves to just one turnover in the second half and controlling the tempo down the stretch.
USC's victory was even more impressive considering the absence of several key players. Alijah Arenas, sidelined since the summer with a meniscus tear, has returned to practice and could make his season debut as soon as next week against Northwestern. Rodney Rice, who injured his shoulder in November's Maui Invitational, will miss the remainder of the season. Amarion Dickerson is out for three to four months with a hip injury suffered in December, putting his return this year in serious doubt. The Trojans' ability to adapt and win despite these setbacks speaks volumes about their depth and determination.
Looking ahead, the schedule only gets tougher for USC. The Trojans will host No. 5 Purdue at the Galen Center on January 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST in what promises to be a marquee Big Ten showdown. Purdue, led by point guard Braden Smith—last year's Big Ten Player of the Year—and forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, enters the contest as a legitimate national title contender. Kaufman-Renn, in particular, has tormented USC in the past, averaging 27 points per game in two meetings last season. For the Trojans, a win over Purdue would be a major statement and could provide a significant boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes.
For Maryland, the road doesn't get any easier. The Terrapins return home to face Penn State on January 18, still searching for their first conference victory. Head coach Kevin Willard will need to find answers quickly if Maryland hopes to salvage its Big Ten campaign.
As the dust settles on this hard-fought contest, one thing is clear: USC's blend of grit, teamwork, and next-man-up mentality has kept their season on track, even as injuries have tested their limits. With a critical stretch of conference games looming, the Trojans have shown they're not ready to fold. Instead, they're fighting for every possession—and, for now, they're winning that battle.
