LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit over grace, the Oregon Ducks authored a stunning road upset, edging the Southern California Trojans 71-70 in a tense Big Ten Conference men’s basketball clash Saturday afternoon at Galen Center.

The contest, witnessed by 6,490 fans, was decided in the final frantic seconds. With Oregon trailing 70-68 and under a minute to play, Kwame Evans Jr. converted a crucial layup while being fouled by USC’s Ezra Ausar. Evans missed the subsequent free throw, but the Ducks retained possession after Jacob Cofie secured the defensive rebound only to immediately turn the ball over. Oregon’s Drew Carter pounced on the steal, and on the ensuing possession, Evans delivered the dagger, draining a three-pointer from the wing with 51 seconds remaining to put the Ducks ahead 71-70.

Southern California had multiple opportunities to reclaim the lead in the closing moments. Alijah Arenas missed a step-back jumper, and Kam Woods’ tip-in attempt off the offensive rebound also failed. After a timeout, the Trojans’ final chance evaporated when Arenas lost the ball on a drive, stolen by Oregon’s Dezdrick Lindsay with two seconds left to seal the victory.

The game’s climax capped a second half of dramatic swings. USC, which trailed 35-32 at halftime, used a 13-4 run early in the period to seize control, fueled by its defensive pressure. The Trojans capitalized on Oregon’s mistakes, scoring 25 points off 15 Duck turnovers and holding a 13-6 advantage in fastbreak points. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came off the bench to lead USC with 21 points, was central to that surge.

Yet, Oregon, which improved to 10-17 overall and 3-13 in conference play, repeatedly answered with resilience. Evans, a sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland, led all scorers with 21 points, including the two decisive baskets late. His performance was complemented by Nate Bittle, the 7-foot center from Central Point, Oregon, who logged 37 minutes and contributed 14 points, and Takai Simpkins, who added 12 points.

For Southern California, which fell to 18-9 and 9-7, the loss was a bitter pill despite statistical edges. The Trojans outrebounded Oregon 44-34, including a 13-8 margin on the offensive glass, and blocked eight shots, led by Cofie’s five swats. They also posted a slightly more efficient offensive rating, 100.9 to Oregon’s 100.2. Arenas finished with 13 points and five assists, while Ausar had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

However, USC’s own 11 turnovers, particularly the two costly ones in the final minute, and a frigid 23-of-60 shooting performance from the field proved fatal. The Trojans also missed critical free throws down the stretch, finishing 18 of 24 from the line.

The most important sequence of the game was undoubtedly the final minute, a microcosm of the entire night. It featured Oregon’s perseverance—Evans attacking the rim, Carter’s alert defensive play, and Evans’ cold-blooded three—directly contrasting USC’s late-game faltering under pressure with consecutive turnovers and missed opportunities at the basket. This decisive stretch overrode USC’s advantages in hustle stats and home court, handing the Ducks a rare and valuable conference road win while damaging the Trojans’ postseason positioning.

Oregon next hosts Wisconsin on Wednesday. Southern California travels across town to face UCLA on Tuesday.