After trailing by 15 in the first half and pulling to within nine before the intermission, Penn State seemed to be on the right track for a comeback.
Then, six minutes into the second half and three Chibuzo Agbo 3s later, the Nittany Lions were down 18. There were still 14 minutes left, but the heater had already been turned on for USC.
The Trojans started the second half with 12 consecutive made field goals (at one point 13 straight counting the make before halftime). Agbo made six (of six) of his career-high seven 3s in the back half of the game, finishing with 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Agboโs performance was a microcosm of the historical shooting night USC had, as it made nearly 80% (79.2%) of its second-half field-goal tries.
Penn State, meanwhile, made a measly 50% of its shot in the second, which was an improvement over its 9-for-25 effort in the first.
USCโs 92-67 win over Penn State was more than a 25-point victory; it was a historical beatdown.
PENN STATE BASKETBALL ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY
Here are the shooting splits for the Trojans from Tuesday:
Field goals: 33-for-49 (67.3%)
3-point field goals: 12-for-16 (75%)
Free throws: 14-for-17 (82.4%)
According to Stathead, since the 3-point shot was adopted by college basketball in 1986, only four teams have achieved those efficiency marks with 12 made 3s:
2016 Stephen F. Austin
2014 Bethune Cookman
2012 Creighton
2011 Ohio State
The 2025 Southern California Trojans can now be added to that list, but they can also narrow it down to two. Their 33 made field goals would leave them and that 2016 Stephen F. Austin team as the only two squads to make 33 field goals and 12 3s on 67% field goal shooting and 75% 3-point shooting.
ACE BALDWIN JR. RETURNING TO DEFENSIVE FORM
Before Tuesdayโs game, Ace Baldwin Jr. had two combined steals over his last three games. Against USC, Baldwin Jr. had three takeaways.
While the box score can share some insight into defensive activity, it doesnโt capture the whole picture. Even if Baldwin Jr. didnโt have any steals, his ball containment, ball pressure, and effort seemed to be its best and most consistent since he returned from injury.
In the seven games before Tuesday, Baldwin seemed to be a step slower and playing more upright. He struggled to keep the ball in front of him, often leading to blow-byes. This was most noticeable on closeouts, as his technique and effort fluctuated. The first and fourth clips in this tape highlight this drop-off.
However, against USC and Desmond Claude, he was more engaged and active. While Claude โ who finished the game with 16 points and eight assists โ had his way against the Penn State defense (as did the whole Trojan team), he also had a game-high eight turnovers. Many of these blunders were because of Baldwin Jr.โs defense. In the clip below, Baldwin Jr. presses Claude up near the halfcourt logo. When Claude tries to use a screen, Baldwin Jr. stays attached and forces a loose ball, which becomes a turnover.
In this next one, Baldwin Jr. misses a shot but immediately picks Claude up and, after wrestling in the post, eventually comes away with his third steal.
This final one is the cream of the crop. Baldwin Jr., with his team down 21, breaks up a pass to Claude and chases it down into the backcourt. He continues to harass the ballhandler until he breaks free only to throw a turnover.
Itโs ironic to highlight defensive possessions in one of college basketball’s most efficient offensive performances. However, if reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ace Baldwin Jr. is back, itโs one positive for a team that has seen its season become full of despair.
DOMINICK STEWART SETS NEW CAREER HIGH
Freshman Dominick Stewart had a full circle moment in his return to Los Angeles.
The 6-foot-5 guard spent his prep career at Southern California Academy, where he scored over 3,ooo points. On Saturday against UCLA, Stewart demonstrated great confidence in his best outing in almost two months. On Tuesday, he scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
Stewarts started strong, making his first shot, which was a pull-up 3-pointer. He would miss his next two 3s, but he made three out of his final four field goals, albeit when the game was out of reach. Look at the confidence he displays on these self-created jumpers.
If there is one silver lining beginning to form this season, it has been the extended minutes the freshmen have gotten. Stewart so far has been the standout among them, but players like Miles Goodman are earning valuable experience in light of the recent injuries.
The season might come to an early close if Penn State continues to lose down the stretch. Looking forward, though, Mike Rhoades will have experienced sophomores (if they return) in Stewart, Goodman and Jahvin Carter to pair with the best recruiting class in Penn State history.
