Desmond Claude’s 30 points can’t save USC from third consecutive loss
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Freshman Dylan Harper scored 25 points to guide Rutgers to a 95-85 victory over USC on Sunday night.
Harper made nine of 13 shots with four three-pointers and all three of his free throws for the Scarlet Knights (14-14, 7-10 Big Ten), who have won two straight following a three-game slide. He added nine assists.
Ace Bailey had 14 points for Rutgers. Jamichael Davis went eight for eight at the foul line and scored 13 off the bench. Lathan Sommerville and reserve Tyson Acuff both scored 10.
Rayah Marshall, who has witnessed the rise of the USC women’s basketball after her Trojans debut in 2021, finishes with 12 points and 13 rebounds in a 76-66 win.
Desmond Claude scored 30 points on 12-for-21 shooting to lead the Trojans (14-13, 6-10), who have lost three in a row and five of six. Wesley Yates III had 23 points and made three three-pointers.
Claude scored six to help USC jump out to a 15-8 lead. Harper had a three-point play and a three-pointer and Zach Martini connected from beyond the arc to cap a 9-2 spurt and pull Rutgers even at 17. By the time the first half ended, there were six lead changes and nine ties with Rutgers up 44-39. Harper and Yates both had 16 points at the intermission.
Dylan Grant sank a jumper to give Rutgers the game’s first double-digit lead at 50-40 less than two minutes into the second half. The Scarlet Knights took their largest lead at 82-65 on two free throws by Jeremiah Williams with 4:48 remaining. Claude scored four and Yates hit a three-pointer in an 13-4 run to get the Trojans within 91-85 with 15 seconds left. Davis went four for four at the foul line from there to wrap up the win.
USC will host Ohio State on Wednesday.
