USC Men's Basketball's Rally Falls Short Against No. 20 Maryland

Thursday, February 20

College Park, Md.

5:30 p.m.

USC

14-12,6-9Big Ten

Maryland

21-6,11-5Big Ten

Southern California

Maryland

USC Men's Basketball's Rally Falls Short Against No. 20 Maryland

February 20, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Wesley Yates III led the Trojans with 21 points in the 88-71 loss to the Terrapins.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The USC Men's Basketball team (14-12, 6-9 Big Ten) kicked off their time on the East Coast as they took on No. 20 Maryland. USC made a big move in the second half to try and gain control of this game, but the Terrapins weren't having it as the Trojans fell 88-71 in College Park, Maryland.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Terrapins were the first team to score, recording the first 11 points of the game. It wasn't until Chibuzo Agbo sank a three to get the Trojans on the board. Despite USC's attempts, they couldn't disrupt Maryland as the Terrapins went up by as many as 12 in the first eight minutes. However, the Trojans worked through the next four minutes to close the gap, scoring nine points while holding Maryland to three. USC didn't stop there. They made five-of-six shots from the field while preventing the Terrapins from scoring for more than two minutes, which got USC within three. Maryland proved why they are such a strong team as they snagged seven points in two minutes. This resulted in USC being down 37-27 heading into the second half.

USC started the second half with a basket from Wesley Yates III as the Trojans worked to close the gap between them and the Terrapins. That was all Maryland would allow. They came out strong following that opening basket, going on a 12-1 run over USC. Jalen Shelley finally stopped the bleeding for the Trojans as they worked to close the 20-point deficit. This started a 10-point run for USC as they continued to chip away at Maryland's lead. USC hung tight with Maryland for another seven minutes after this, but then the Terrapins kicked it into another gear. The Trojans couldn't heat up from there. By the final buzzer, Maryland ran away with this game as USC lost 88-71.

NOTABLES

Wesley Yates III led the Trojans in scoring against the Terrapins with 21 points, including a dunk in the first half. It is the third time in the last four contests that Yates led USC in scoring. It was also the 14th consecutive game where Yates III finished with double-digit points.
Saint Thomas had a solid all-around game, scoring 10 points and adding a team-high five assists. Thomas recorded his 100th career steal against Maryland.
The Trojans went on a 17-4 run that lasted over three minutes during the second half.
Jalen Shelley secured a career-high eight rebounds while adding on two assists, a block and a steal in the 33 minutes he was on the floor.
Clark Slajchert made his first three three-pointers and finished with nine points - all coming early in the second half.
Kevin Patton Jr. made his first five shot attempts for 11 points, including two ferocious dunks in the second half. He also recorded his 50th career steal against the Terrapins.
USC won the jump ball for the 11th straight game.

QUOTABLES
Coach Eric Musselman on the team's performance tonight…
"We played the 20th-best team in the country. Their starting lineup is as good as any starting lineup in the country. What a crowd they had. This is why they only lost one home game here. We are not the only team they do this to. They have a great roster, and we didn't come out in either half very well. We were blitzed to the start of the game and blitzed to start the second half."

"We have to come play. I thought we played as hard as we could. I thought that we didn't make shots. I thought we took some ill-advised shots. We lost to a team that is 15-1 at home. We just were not ready to beat them at their place, and that was evident tonight. Now we have to go to Rutgers and play against two NBA Lottery picks."

Coach Eric Musselman on the production from players off the bench…
"Jalen Shelley played really good and he played really hard. He got loose balls and range rebounds. Kevin Patton came in and he started off five of five. He played really well until a couple of minutes after he went five of five. Clark Slajchert then came in and banged threes. When you get your minutes, you got to produce, and I thought our bench did a great job, maybe as good a game as we have had off the bench."

UP NEXT
The Trojans will head north on the 95 as they go to the Garden State to take on Rutgers University. Tip-off will be on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. PT. Those who can't make it to Piscataway can watch it on FS1 or listen to it on ESPN LA 710.