On one hand, USC men’s basketball’s 70-67 win over Boise State in the first round of the Maui Invitational was a bit concerning. Trojan fans who are trying to evaluate just how good this team is in early going would have liked to have seen a more convincing win over an opponent from a weaker conference. Especially after it took three overtimes for USC to beat Troy last Thursday.
But on the other hand, this is why you go to midseason tournaments; to get the competitive juices flowing. Even if the Trojans are not as dominant as fans would have hoped at this point in the season, it is still a good sign that they are winning tight games with a trophy on the line.
That’s exactly what they did again against previously unbeaten Seton Hall in their 83-81 win, and now they get to play for a tournament trophy. Look back at all the live updates, analysis, highlights and stats from Trojans Wire writer Ethan Inman as unbeaten USC and beat Seton Hall to earn a spot in the Maui Invitational championship game.
USC 83, Seton Hall 81 – FINAL
The Trojans are headed to the Maui Invitational championship game! Despite 16 turnovers and losing Rodney Rice for most of the game, the Trojans survived the Pirates.
It’s pretty clearly USC’s best win of the season. The Pirates are not a ranked team, but they were unbeaten coming into the game and beat a ranked team (No. 23 NC State) to get to the second round of the tournament.
It also showed the Trojans can win the willpower game. Ezra Auzar led the Trojans with 25 points and shot 19 free throws on the day. Chad Baker-Mazara added 18, stepping up his game with Rice out.
The Trojans get to play for a trophy! Still a long way to go for this team to look like a tournament contender, but the Trojans are definitely gaining valuable experience in this tournament.
USC 81, Seton Hall 80 — 0:03 2nd half
If USC wins this game, it will be because the Trojans did in the final minutes what they couldn’t do to open the game — take care of the basketball.
USC 80, Seton Hall 78 — 0:24 2nd half
Baker-Mazara made both of his free throws. It’s time for the Trojans to play clutch defense. They do not want to go to overtime against a team full of energizer bunnies like Seton Hall.
USC 78, Seton Hall 78 — 0:29 2nd half
As expected, Seton Hall isn’t making it easy. AJ Staton-McCray made a game-tying three pointer for the Pirates. Fortunately, Chad Baker-Mazara is headed to the free throw line with a chance to give USC the lead back.
USC 78, Seton Hall 75 — 1:13 2nd half
It’s been a superb effort from the Trojans, but they will need to close it out amidst what is going to inevitably be an all out effort from Seton Hall.
USC 74, Seton Hall 70 — 2:41 2nd half
Here’s a stat that has defined the game: USC has shot 30 free throws while Seton Hall has shot only 10. The Trojans have used getting to the line to slow down the pace and maintain their second half lead.
And it’s not like they have been questionable calls. The refs have let the game be somewhat physical, they are only calling the clear and obvious fouls. Ezra Ausar and others are just exploiting Seton Hall’s over-aggressiveness.
USC 67, Seton Hall 61 — 7:33 2nd half
Ezra Ausar’s relentless effort down low is a big story for USC in this game. He has been to the free throw line 13 times and has 20 points and 7 rebounds. He has drawn 10 fouls, a big reason why several key Pirates players are in foul trouble.
Chad Baker-Mazara is up to 14 points now as well.
USC 63, Seton Hall 57 — 12:07 2nd half
USC is hammering the offensive boards and built up a lead quickly with timely three-point shooting. Amarion Dickerson and Chad Baker-Mazara hit back-to-back threes to give the Trojans a 6 point lead.
Rodney Rice has his shoulder wrapped up currently, suggesting that Eric Musselman may be keeping him out for the rest of the game.
Highlight reel three from Chad Baker-Mazara earlier
USC 53, Seton Hall 57 — 14:57 2nd half
Baker-Mazara has answered the bell so far with Rice still on the bench. He scored 4 straight points for the Trojans.
No updates on Rice’s condition as of yet.
USC 49, Seton Hall 53 — 15:52 2nd half
Rodney Rice went down with what appeared to be the same shoulder injury that was bothering him earlier in the game. Remember, Rice missed a month of preseason practice with a shoulder issue. That’s not a good sign for the Trojans. They need him to win this game, and every game moving forward.
If he can’t return, Chad Baker-Mazara needs to step up and score for the Trojans. He has only 5 points on 2-3 shooting so far in this game.
Ezra Ausar playing tough basketball down low
USC 38, Seton Hall 42 — Halftime
Rodney Rice came alive to fuel a USC comeback to finish the first half. He now has 13 points on 5-9 shooting (3-5 from three). He’s taking and making really tough shots.
Jerry Easter II scored a floater at the buzzer to cut the lead to 4 headed into the break.
Another narrative to watch as the second half begins: Seton Hall starter “Budd” Clark, who leads the Pirates with 10 points, picked up his third foul right before halftime. Four other Seton Hall players have 2 fouls.
USC can pull this game out if the Trojans take care of the basketball, get to the line, make their free throws, and get consistent scoring from one of their stars (likely Rice).
USC 23, Seton Hall 34 — 3:50 1st half
Rodney Rice is finally on the board for USC after hitting a three pointer, but the fact that it took him that long to score is the bigger story. He and Chad Baker-Mazara have combined for only 5 total points.
Ezra Ausar is keeping the Trojans in the game with 10 total points so far.
USC 19, Seton Hall 29 — 7:24 1st half
Seton Hall is completely controlling the pace, forcing 9 USC turnovers (7 of them on Seton Hall steals) and scoring 13 points off those turnovers. They look every bit like the team that upset No. 23 NC State yesterday.
USC is trying to slow the game down by getting to the free throw line — but that only works if USC makes its free throws. The Trojans are only 5-8 from the line.
USC 14, Seton Hall 19 — 11:22 1st half
USC has 8 turnovers and Rodney Rice has not scored, but the Trojans are hanging in there with high-energy defense.
USC 8, Seton Hall 8 — 15:39 1st half
The Pirates are swarming USC’s guards early defensively — if they are going to score, it is going to have to come primarily from down low.
Ezra Ausar has 5 early points for the Trojans. Rodney Rice went down with an apparent injury — looked like a dislocated shoulder — but he returned to the bench and appears to be fine now.
Tip off now at 2:25 on ESPN
Hang in there, Trojan fans. Just 10 more minutes until this game gets tipped off.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC men’s basketball vs Seton Hall — rapid recap, stats, analysis
Reporting by Ethan Inman, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
