USC Men's Basketball's Big Ten Tournament Run Ends Against No. 20 Purdue

Thursday, March 13

Indianapolis, Ind.

6:00 p.m. PT

USC

16-17,7-13Big Ten

Purdue

22-10,13-7Big Ten

Southern California

Purdue

USC Men's Basketball's Big Ten Tournament Run Ends Against No. 20 Purdue

March 13, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Post-Game Quotes (PDF)

The 14th-seeded Trojans fell to the sixth-seeded Boilermakers 76-71.

INDIANAPOLIS – USC Men's Basketball (16-17, 7-13 Big Ten) kicked off the second round of the TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, taking on the sixth seed in No. 20 Purdue. After a tough battle between these two teams, it came down to the final minute of the game to see who would move on to the quarterfinals. Despite their best efforts, it was USC's season that ended at the final buzzer as they lost 76-71 to Purdue.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Desmond Claude picked up where he left off last night against Rutgers as he scored the first basket of the night for the Trojans. However, the Boilermakers responded quickly, scoring seven-straight points to take the early five-point lead. USC worked to prevent the Purdue from extending their lead, picking up the pace. The Trojans caused the Boilermakers to turn the ball over six times in four minutes as Wesley Yates III made a layup to take the lead. This ignited an 11-point run for the Trojans as they continued to build on their lead. At the six-minute mark, Purdue regrouped as they went on a run of their own, scoring 10-straight points to tie the game. Four minutes remained in the first half with both teams looking to secure the lead heading into halftime. Coming out of the timeout, it was USC who made the first push, going up by five. However, the Boilermakers didn't allow that to happen for long as they tied the game up yet again with 30 seconds to go. Neither team could put up a shot in that time, resulting in the score sitting at 35 apiece at the end of the first 20 minutes.

The second half started the same way this game has gone as these two teams went basket-for-basket. The only difference was a three-pointer that gave the Boilermakers a one-point advantage. However, Rashaun Agee responded to that with a three-pointer of his own, helping the Trojans jump back on top. Purdue worked to chisel away at the five-point lead the Trojans built as they got within one with just 12 minutes to go. Another five minutes passed with the same grittiness, and now, the score was tied again with seven minutes to play. The time continued to tick down as neither team could pull ahead by more than four. With nine ties and eight lead changes later, it came down to the final 55 seconds. USC put everything out on the court as they attempted to keep their run in the Big Ten Tournament alive. However, those efforts came up short as they fell 76-71 to the Boilermakers.

NOTABLES

Forward Rashaun Agee reached 1,000 career points with a made three-pointer at the 14:33 mark of the first half. He joins Desmond Claude, Saint Thomas, and Chibuzo Agbo as Trojans who reach the 1,000-point milestone this season. In total, seven Trojans have scored 1,000 career points, tied for most in the country.
Four Trojans scored in the double digits against Purdue – Desmond Claude (18), Wesley Yates III (13), Rashaun Agee (11) and Matt Knowling (11).
Matt Knowling shot 5-5 from the field and turned in his first game in double-figures since Nov. 20 against San Jose State.
Playing in his 100th career game, Desmond Claude put up 18 points while grabbing three rebounds and two assists.
Claude scored all of USC's points (10) from 7:34 through the end of the game.
USC held Purdue scoreless for 4:47 in the first half, going on an 11-0 run during that time.
USC outscored Purdue 20-12 in the paint during the first half and 28-26 overall.
Wesley Yates III and Rashaun Agee had seven rebounds apiece, leading the Trojans in boards against the Boilermakers.
USC had 22 second chance points in contrast to Purdue's 19.

IN CONCLUSION
This concludes USC's final game of Big Ten play this season as the team wraps up their first season in the conference. The Trojans ended their regular season and tournament run with a 16-17 overall record and 7-13 record in Big Ten play.