On Sunday, Southern California put on a show with a 102-63 blowout over Division III UC Santa Cruz. The game took place in Los Angeles and, honestly, it felt like USC was in control from the jump.
Several Trojans stood out. Gabe Dynes, Ezra Ausar, Chad Baker-Mazara, and Jacob Cofie all hit double digits in scoring.
This win bumps USC’s record up to 12-1 for the season. It’s their third straight win since that loss to Washington.
UC Santa Cruz was actually a late replacement for Brown University, who bowed out after a tragic campus shooting. The Banana Slugs gave it a shot, but keeping up with USC’s offense was a tall order.
Key Performances by Southern California Players
USC’s win was fueled by some big individual efforts. Gabe Dynes led the way with 16 points, knocking down 8 of 10 shots and pulling in five rebounds.
His efficiency really set the tone for the Trojans.
Ezra Ausar’s Impact
Ezra Ausar chipped in 15 points, going 6-for-7 from the field and sinking all his free throws. He looked calm under pressure, which made a difference for USC’s offense.
Contributions from Chad Baker-Mazara and Jacob Cofie
Chad Baker-Mazara matched Ausar with 15 points, plus he grabbed seven rebounds and handed out five assists. That kind of all-around game is always nice to see.
Jacob Cofie was nearly automatic, scoring 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting and grabbing seven boards. USC really owned the paint all night.
UC Santa Cruz’s Effort
Even with the tough scoreline, UC Santa Cruz had some moments. Aidan Carleson came off the bench for 13 points, draining three shots from deep.
Thomas Conley was efficient too, missing just one shot and finishing with 11 points.
Game Context and Background
UC Santa Cruz only got the call after Brown University decided not to travel, following that heartbreaking shooting on December 13. Two students lost their lives, and nine others were hurt.
It was a heavy backdrop, but USC kept their focus and stuck to their game plan.
Game Flow and Key Moments
Early on, things were actually pretty close. Conley hit a three to pull Santa Cruz within a point at 19-18 with just over eight minutes left in the first half.
But then Santa Cruz went cold, not scoring for the last 3:41 of the half. USC took full advantage, closing on an 8-0 run and heading into the break up 45-26.
Second Half Dominance
After halftime, USC just kept rolling. Gabe Dynes poured in 12 of his 16 points in the second half, and the Trojans never really looked threatened.
Their defense tightened up too, making sure Santa Cruz couldn’t get back in it.
Looking Ahead for USC
Now sitting at 12-1, USC’s next big test is against No. 2 Michigan in Big Ten play on January 2. That one’s definitely circled on the calendar.
Implications for the Season
This game really showed off USC’s depth and flexibility. Getting contributions from so many guys is a good sign as they gear up for tougher Big Ten competition.
Southern California rolled over UC Santa Cruz in a way that really showed off their strengths. This win hints at a season with a lot of promise.
Gabe Dynes, Ezra Ausar, Chad Baker-Mazara, and Jacob Cofie all had moments where they just took over. The Trojans looked sharp, and honestly, it felt like they could handle just about anything UC Santa Cruz threw at them.
Next up, they’ve got Michigan. If USC keeps this energy, who knows how far they’ll go?
Want to dive into the full game details and see how each player did? Check out the article on Fox Sports.
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