USC Basketball Suffers Heartbreaking Loss to Cal Despite Bold Strategy
LOS ANGELES – In a tense matchup against the Golden Bears on Sunday night, USC basketball faced an uphill battle, struggling with rim protection and interior defense at the Galen Center. Coach Eric Musselman’s unconventional decision to close the game without a traditional center ultimately proved costly, as the Trojans succumbed to a 71-66 defeat, marking their first loss under his leadership at the venue.
With just over 13 minutes remaining, Musselman removed Bowling Green transfer Rashaun Agee from the lineup, opting for an all-wing formation to compensate for the team’s lack of interior size and shot-blocking. This strategy initially showed promise, with Junior guard Desmond Claude leading SC with 20 points and forward Saint Thomas contributing 15. However, despite the offensive creativity—where Trojans frequently veered from set plays to exploit mismatches—the lack of defensive presence allowed Cal to dominate the paint.
The first half was a high-scoring affair, marked by rapid exchanges and little defensive structure. Cal guard Jovan Blacksher Jr. was a standout, scoring critical points and showcasing his skills, including a three-pointer over Agee just before halftime that highlighted USC’s defensive struggles.
As the game progressed, USC briefly rallied with a lineup full of agile wings, cutting Cal’s lead to a single point late in the contest. However, a critical offensive rebound by Cal in the final seconds was pivotal, leading to free throws that sealed USC’s fate. The Trojans now hold a 3-1 record this season and will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities if they hope to bounce back in future contests.
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