Alijah Arenas Hits Game Winner as USC Edges Penn State 77-75 in Final Seconds

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Alijah Arenas delivered a clutch performance Sunday, scoring 11 of his 24 points in the final four minutes, including a game-winning layup with 0.7 seconds left, to lift USC to a 77-75 victory over Penn State in a breaking update that shook the Big Ten standings.

Freddie Dilione V tied the game at 75-75 with a layup for Penn State with 12 seconds remaining. USC immediately called timeout to advance the ball. Arenas received the inbound pass, maneuvered to the right block, and converted a high-arching layup off the glass to cap the scoring and secure the win.

Kam Woods contributed a season-high nine assists along with 13 points, five rebounds, and four steals for USC (18-6, 7-6 Big Ten). Ezra Ausar added 13 points, and Jacob Cofie chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds as the Trojans maintained composure during a tense closing stretch.

Penn State (10-14, 1-12 Big Ten) was led by Dilione’s 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Josh Reed added 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Ivan Juric scored 13 and Dominick Stewart contributed 11. The Nittany Lions have now dropped 10 of their last 11 games, continuing a prolonged slump in conference play.

The game saw multiple momentum swings. Penn State scored 10 straight points in the first half before Woods’ layup brought USC within 40-36 at halftime. The Nittany Lions opened the second half with a 10-2 run capped by a fast-break dunk from Dilione, stretching their lead to 50-38 with 17:23 remaining. USC responded with a 22-5 run, fueled by Arenas and Woods, to grab a six-point lead with six minutes remaining. Penn State went 0-for-8 from the field during that stretch, unable to regain control.

This victory reinforces USC’s outlook in the Big Ten standings, highlighting Arenas’ emergence as a late-game scorer and Woods’ role as a versatile playmaker.

The Trojans now look to extend their winning momentum in their next matchup at Ohio State on Wednesday. Penn State will attempt to end its losing skid when it visits Washington on Wednesday.