Chad Baker-Mazara Helps USC Claim Maui Invitational Championship

LAHAINA, Hawaii — USC secured the Maui Invitational championship by defeating Arizona State 88-75 on Wednesday. Chad Baker-Mazara led the Trojans with 23 points, while Jaden Brownell contributed 16 points to the victory.

Baker-Mazara celebrated his second consecutive tournament championship; he previously scored 14 points during Auburn’s 90-76 win over Memphis last season. In the final against Arizona State, he made nine of 16 shots from the field, including four three-pointers.

USC established the first significant lead of the game at 77-66, following a basket by Ezra Ausar with 5:14 remaining. An offensive foul against Arizona State allowed Jordan Marsh to extend the lead with a jumper from the free-throw line, bringing the score to 81-69.

Marsh later sealed the victory with a long three-pointer, pushing the score to 86-71. Ausar, who had 25 points in the semifinals, finished with 14 points for USC, which improved to 7-0 despite the absence of leading scorer Rodney Rice. Jacob Cofie added 11 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Marsh contributed nine points.

For Arizona State, Maurice Odum scored 17 points, and Anthony Johnson added 15. Santiago Trouet and Massamba Diop each chipped in with 13 points, but the Sun Devils struggled throughout the tournament, trailing by double digits in all three of their games.