SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — Chad Baker-Mazara scored 31 points and Ezra Ausar added 29 as Southern California pulled away in the second half for a 94-81 victory over San Diego in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The Trojans, improving to 9-1, used a 56-point second-half outburst to break open a game that was tied 38-38 at halftime. The Toreros fell to 3-6.

Baker-Mazara, a 6-foot-7 guard from the Dominican Republic, filled the stat sheet, adding six assists and three blocks in 36 minutes. He was efficient from the floor, hitting key shots during Southern California’s decisive runs. His backcourt partner, 6-foot-9 forward Ezra Ausar of Atlanta, was a force inside, playing 32 minutes and contributing three assists and a block.

The game’s pivotal stretch came early in the second half. After the teams traded baskets to a 46-46 tie, Southern California unleashed a 16-2 surge over a four-minute span. The run was fueled by its stars, with Ausar scoring eight points during the stretch, including a dunk off a Baker-Mazara assist, and Baker-Mazara himself capping it with a 3-pointer that gave the Trojans a 62-48 lead with 12:33 remaining.

San Diego, led by Dominique Ford’s 22 points, could not mount a sustained response. Every time the Toreros threatened, Southern California had an answer, often from Baker-Mazara. His step-back 3-pointer with 6:46 left pushed the lead back to 17 points at 78-61, effectively sealing the outcome.

Ford, a 6-foot-5 guard from Las Vegas, kept San Diego within striking distance for much of the night. Ty-Laur Johnson added 13 points for the Toreros, while Juanse Gorosito had 10 points and four assists.

Southern California’s offensive balance proved too much. Jaden Brownell scored 16 points, all in the second half, including two critical 3-pointers during the Trojans’ key runs. Jerry Easter added eight points.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring 10 lead changes and six ties. San Diego’s Vuk Boskovic hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to knot the score at 38. The Toreros shot well early but were undone by 16 turnovers, which Southern California converted into 23 points.

The Trojans dominated inside, outscoring San Diego 46-30 in the paint and outrebounding them 38-31. Southern California also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 22 of 30 attempts compared to San Diego’s 17 of 24.

Southern California, coming off a home loss to Washington, avoided consecutive defeats and continued its strong start to the season. The Trojans have now won eight of their last nine games. San Diego has lost four of its last five.

The game drew an announced crowd of 2,317.

Southern California next hosts Washington State on Sunday. San Diego is scheduled to host Northern Arizona on Saturday.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Southern California had a 95.7% probability to win. The total points scored, 175, went over the betting over/under line of 162.5.