USC Faces Season Challenge with Rodney Rice Injured, But Still Overcomes Texas San Antonio
USC Secures 97-70 Victory Over Texas San Antonio Despite Injury Challenges
In a pivotal matchup at the Galen Center, the USC Trojans overcame a slow start and significant injury concerns to defeat Texas San Antonio 97-70 on Wednesday night. The Trojans, boasting a strong 10-1 record in nonconference play, faced a challenging moment against a struggling Roadrunners team that had lost four of its last five games.
The atmosphere in the mostly empty arena felt unusual for the Trojans, who were grappling with the recent announcement of point guard Rodney Rice undergoing shoulder surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. This news contributed to a palpable tension as USC appeared sluggish early in the contest.
USC coach Eric Musselman acknowledged the challenges posed by missing key players: “Without them, we’re going to have to grind and play so hard to win games. We have a lot to clean up, and we have to exceed the opposition from a playing-hard standpoint. We’re undermanned. We don’t have Alijah Arenas. We don’t have Rodney Rice. And we don’t have Amarion Dickerson. That’s a lot.”
The Trojans started the game lethargically, allowing the Roadrunners to dominate the glass and hold a lead as late as three minutes before halftime. However, a shift occurred as USC closed out the first half on a decisive 13-0 run, propelled by a jumper from Ryan Cornish and a dynamic steal and score from Ezra Ausar.
Baker-Mazara and Ausar emerged as key contributors, combining for a remarkable 38 points in recent games. After halftime, Baker-Mazara ignited the offense with 17 second-half points, finishing with a total of 20. Ausar, leading the nation in free-throw attempts, added 22 points and 10 rebounds, achieving his first double-double of the season.
"My energy is contagious, and humbly, once I’m going, everybody is going," Ausar remarked, highlighting the importance of his performance moving forward, especially with the tough Big Ten matchup coming up, which includes games against three top-10 teams.
Musselman expressed confidence in Ausar’s potential: “Ezra is going to keep getting better. His basketball future is so bright. He hasn’t even tipped what he’s going to be… We’re gonna rely on Ezra to keep this group together and be a leader, and he’s done that.”
Looking ahead, the Trojans will need to navigate a demanding schedule without key contributors, at least until Arenas returns to practice within the next few days. In the meantime, Cornish’s rise in performance, marked by an 18-point game including four three-pointers in his starting debut, showcases the depth that USC will need to muster in the weeks ahead. Musselman noted, "He was at the bottom of the roster almost, and he’s earned what he’s getting. We need people to step up… and Ryan’s a great example."
As USC prepares for its upcoming Big Ten challenges, the resilience and adaptability of its roster will be put to the test.
