USC Holds Off Seton Hall, Advances to Maui Invitational Finals

LAHAINA, Hawai’i — The USC men’s basketball team scored an 83-81 victory over Seton Hall in a tightly contested semifinal of the Southwest Maui Invitational on Tuesday, November 25. With the win, USC improved to 6-0 this season.

Ezra Ausar led USC with a game-high 25 points, and Chad Baker-Mazara added 18, including crucial free throws in the closing seconds. After facing a 13-point deficit, USC rallied to outscore Seton Hall in the second half. Baker-Mazara’s free throws with 27 seconds remaining put USC ahead for good.

Seton Hall (6-1) managed to tie the game at 78 with one minute left, but turnovers played a significant role in the outcome as USC’s defense pressured the Pirates into mistakes. In total, USC forced 16 turnovers, allowing them to capitalize at the free-throw line, where they shot 81.6 percent.

USC was able to take control of the game halfway through the second half with a decisive 13-0 run. After trailing 46-44 at halftime, the Trojans quickly found their rhythm, with Baker-Mazara scoring multiple times in quick succession.

Down by eight points midway through the second half, USC fought back, utilizing strong rebounding and go-ahead shots. The Trojans finished the game with a 35-21 advantage in rebounds, showcasing their dominance on the boards.

Coach Eric Musselman praised his team’s resilience and adaptability after losing leading scorer Rodney Rice to an injury early in the second half. “Super happy. We’re learning on the fly. We’re playing guys at different positions and adapting our plays,” he said.

Seton Hall’s Adam Clark led his team with 18 points, and AJ Staton-McCray followed with 17, but the Pirates could not maintain their leads in the final minutes.

USC will face Arizona State in the championship game on Wednesday, November 26, at 11:30 a.m. PT.