PISCATAWAY, N.J. — In an exciting clash on Sunday night, freshman Dylan Harper led Rutgers to a 95-85 victory against Southern California, showcasing a stellar performance by scoring 25 points.
Harper’s shooting was impressive as he connected on 9 of 13 attempts, including four successful three-pointers, and did not miss a single free throw, hitting all three. The Scarlet Knights improved their record to 14-14, with a 7-10 standing in the Big Ten Conference, marking their second consecutive win after experiencing a three-game losing streak. Abringing depth to the game, Harper also contributed nine assists.
In addition to Harper’s standout performance, Ace Bailey added 14 points, while Jamichael Davis excelled off the bench, going a perfect 8 for 8 at the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. Both Lathan Sommerville and Tyson Acuff chipped in with 10 points each.
Desmond Claude was a key player for the Trojans, scoring 30 points on 12-for-21 shooting, but his effort wasn’t enough to change the outcome as Southern California fell to 14-13 with a 6-10 record. Wesley Yates III also played a significant role for the Trojans, contributing 23 points with three three-pointers.
The game started with Claude helping USC establish an early 15-8 lead. However, Rutgers quickly responded with a three-point play and a subsequent three-pointer from Harper, followed by a long-range shot from Zach Martini. This offensive surge led to a 9-2 run, allowing the Scarlet Knights to tie the game at 17. The first half was thrilling, featuring six lead changes and nine ties, with Rutgers managing to head into halftime with a 44-39 lead. Both Harper and Yates had scored 16 points by the break.
The second half saw Dylan Grant hitting a jumper that pushed Rutgers to its first double-digit lead of 50-40 just two minutes into the period. The Scarlet Knights solidified their control and reached a commanding 82-65 edge after Jeremiah Williams sank two free throws with 4:48 left in the game. While the Trojans attempted to claw back, with Claude scoring four points and Yates hitting a three-pointer during a 13-4 run, they were only able to pull within 91-85 with 15 seconds remaining. Davis stepped up to seal the deal for Rutgers by hitting four consecutive free throws, ensuring the victory.
Looking ahead, USC is set to host Ohio State on Wednesday, while Rutgers will be facing No. 12 Michigan on Thursday.
