Rutgers Snaps USC’s Winning Streak with 95-85 Victory

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers University overcame a late push from the University of Southern California (USC), securing a 95-85 victory on February 23, 2025, thanks to a strong performance from guard Dylan Harper, who scored 25 points and recorded nine assists.

The win at Jersey Mike's Arena marked Rutgers’ first back-to-back wins since early January, improving their record to 14-14 overall and 7-10 in the Big Ten Conference. USC fell to 14-13 and 6-10 in their conference play, making it their third consecutive loss.

Rutgers took control of the game during a crucial 14-4 run in the second half, extending their lead to 17 points. Despite a late rally by USC that cut the deficit to six points in the final minute, Rutgers maintained their composure, primarily through stellar free-throw shooting.

“We wanted to put them away but we knew they were capable of a comeback,” Harper said after the game. “It’s important to finish strong, especially for our confidence as we look toward the rest of the season.”

Rutgers excelled at the free-throw line, finishing 26 of 28, with Jamichael Davis contributing significantly by hitting all eight of his attempts for a total of 13 points off the bench. Lathan Sommerville and Ace Bailey also added to the score, both reaching double figures with 10 and 14 points, respectively.

USC’s offense relied heavily on Desmond Claude, who scored a game-high 30 points on 12 of 21 shooting. Wesley Yates III chipped in for the Trojans, scoring 23 points including a 3-pointer that briefly brought USC within striking distance in the final moments.

“We didn’t execute defensively the way we needed to, and that hurt us,” USC coach Andy Enfield stated. “We have to respond better when we find ourselves in tough situations.”

USC made seven 3-pointers out of 15 attempts but struggled to match Rutgers’ free-throw success, making just 10 of 14 attempts at the line.

Rutgers now aims to build momentum with their next matchup, looking to continue their winning streak and build confidence as the season progresses.