Chad Baker-Mazara (29), USC squeeze past Minnesota
Jan 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Chad Baker-Mazara (4) drives towards the basket as Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Isaac Asuma (1) defends during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Chad Baker-Mazara scored 29 points, including a go-ahead pair of free throws with 10.9 seconds left in overtime, and USC held on for a 70-69 win over Minnesota in a Big Ten Conference matchup Friday night in Minneapolis.
Baker-Mazara added eight assists and Ezra Ausar contributed 14 points and nine rebounds for USC (13-3, 2-3), which recovered from back-to-back losses. Jacob Cofie and Gabe Dynes contributed nine points apiece.
Cade Tyson scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Minnesota (10-6, 3-2), which lost on its home court for the first time this season. Bobby Durkin scored 13 points and Langston Reynolds finished with 12.
The score was even at 66-all late in overtime when Ausar made a jump shot to put USC on top 68-66 with 1:03 to play.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson responded with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give Minnesota a 69-68 lead with 27 seconds to go.
Baker-Mazara drove toward the paint and drew a foul on Reynolds on the next USC possession. He made both of his free throws to give the Trojans a 70-69 lead with 10.9 seconds remaining.
On the Golden Gophers' final attempt, Tyson briefly lost his dribble and had to rush a difficult jump shot from the baseline. USC got the rebound and sealed the victory.
With the score tied at 63, Ausar had a chance to win the game for USC at the buzzer but his jump shot bounced off the rim to force overtime.
The Golden Gophers erased a 13-point deficit in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
Cofie connected on a 3-pointer to give USC a 53-40 lead with 9:48 remaining.
Minnesota stormed back to briefly take a one-point lead with 45 seconds left. Dynes evened the score for USC when he made one of two free throws with 33 seconds to go.
USC led 35-30 at the half.
The Golden Gophers opened a 27-23 lead late in the first half. Tyson made a layup to give Minnesota a four-point advantage with 5:47 remaining before the break.
--Field Level Media
June 12 MLB Picks: Two Best Bets for Friday
Four Big Takeaways From Day 1 of the 2026 World Cup
Texas Tech's Opponents Should Refuse to Play Brendan Sorsby
The New York Knicks Are Inevitable
Top Storylines to Watch as the 2026 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off
Six Things That Must Happen for USMNT to Win the World Cup
- Best MLB Bets Today: Two Plays for Phillies-Blue Jays and Brewers-Athletics
- Three World Cup Futures Bets Worth Making Before Kickoff
- Tuesday MLB Best Bets: June 9th Pitcher Props Worth Targeting
- NBA Finals Game 2 Betting Picks and Predictions Spurs vs. Knicks
- MLB Picks Today: Two Sunday Bets Worth Backing
- MLB Predictions and Best Bets for Saturday's Biggest Games
- UFC Vegas 118 Betting Picks: Three Fights to Target on Saturday Night

