LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a game defined by rugged defense and critical free throws, the Southern California Trojans held off a persistent Rutgers Scarlet Knights squad 78-75 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Galen Center.

The contest, organized by the Big Ten, saw the Trojans improve to 16-6 while Rutgers fell to 9-13 in front of 5,322 fans.

Southern California built its victory on a foundation of efficient offense and a significant advantage at the foul line. The Trojans shot 51% from the field and converted 22 of 30 free throw attempts. Rutgers, by contrast, struggled with its shooting all afternoon, making just 39.2% of its field goal attempts on 74 shots, though it stayed competitive through sheer volume and effort, attempting 22 more shots than the home team.

The Scarlet Knights’ offensive woes were encapsulated by an offensive rating of 104.6 points per 100 possessions, compared to a markedly more efficient 111.0 for Southern California. Rutgers compensated with a plus-8 turnover margin, forcing 16 Trojan giveaways while committing only eight, and dominated the offensive glass 16-11, leading to 19 second-chance points.

The game’s most pivotal sequence unfolded in the final 90 seconds with Southern California clinging to a 76-75 lead. After Rutgers’ Dylan Grant missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer, USC’s Jacob Cofie was fouled and made one of two free throws with 13 seconds left to push the lead to two. On the ensuing possession, Rutgers’ primary scorer Tariq Francis drove the lane but had his pocket picked by USC’s Chad Baker-Mazara with one second remaining. Baker-Mazara was immediately fouled and sank both free throws to seal the three-point victory, as Francis’ desperation heave at the buzzer missed.

Francis led all scorers with 26 points for Rutgers, adding five assists. Dylan Grant contributed 14 points for the Scarlet Knights, while Harun Zrno added nine, all on three-pointers.

Southern California was powered by a balanced inside-out attack. Ezra Ausar, a 6-foot-9 forward from Atlanta, scored 21 points and grabbed key rebounds. Baker-Mazara, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, filled the stat sheet with 17 points, three assists and a crucial late steal and block. Jacob Cofie of Seattle provided 15 points, three assists and three blocks, anchoring the Trojan defense. Kam Woods, despite an off-shooting night, managed eight points and four assists and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line in the final minutes.

The first half set the tone for a physical battle. Southern California used a 12-4 run midway through the period to open a 26-16 lead, capitalizing on Rutgers’ early shooting struggles. The Scarlet Knights, however, chipped away behind Francis, who scored 11 before halftime. A late tip-in by Cofie gave the Trojans a 40-30 advantage at the break.

Rutgers emerged from halftime with renewed energy, opening the second period on a 13-3 run to tie the game at 43, fueled by defensive pressure and transition baskets. The game then settled into a tense back-and-forth affair, featuring nine ties and 12 lead changes. Neither team led by more than five points over the final 15 minutes.

Southern California’s ability to draw fouls and convert at the stripe proved the ultimate difference. The Trojans attempted 18 more free throws than Rutgers, making 13 more. In the final five minutes, USC scored eight of its 11 points from the foul line, while Rutgers was forced to rely on tougher contested jumpers down the stretch.

The win continues a positive stretch for Southern California, which has now won three of its last four. Rutgers, despite the loss, showed resilience in rallying from a double-digit deficit on the road, continuing a pattern of competitive play against high-level opponents after recent overtime battles with Michigan State and Oregon.

Southern California next hosts Indiana on Tuesday. Rutgers continues its West Coast trip at UCLA on the same night.