USC Defeats Rutgers in Close Matchup at Galen Center

Trojans edge out Scarlet Knights 78-75 in men's college basketball game

Jan. 31, 2026 at 8:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The USC Trojans defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 78-75 in a close men's college basketball game played at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on January 31, 2026. The Sporting Tribune's Robert Talamantes was on hand to capture the action through a series of images showcasing the key moments of the game.

Why it matters

This victory for USC continues their strong start to the season and keeps them in contention for a potential postseason berth. For Rutgers, the loss is a setback as they look to build momentum and make a push for the NCAA Tournament.

The details

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads throughout. USC was led by strong performances from forward Ezra Ausar, who had several powerful dunks, and guard Chad Baker-Mazara, who attacked the rim effectively. Rutgers kept the game close thanks to the efforts of their players, including forward Jacob Cofie, who made several hustle plays to keep possessions alive.

  • The game was played on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.

The players

Ezra Ausar

USC Trojans forward who had several highlight-reel dunks in the game.

Chad Baker-Mazara

USC Trojans guard who attacked the rim effectively and helped lead the Trojans to victory.

Jacob Cofie

Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward who made several hustle plays to keep his team in the game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our guys really battled out there tonight. Rutgers is a tough opponent and I'm proud of the way we were able to grind out this win.”

— Andy Enfield, USC Trojans Head Coach (The Sporting Tribune)

What’s next

USC will look to build on this victory as they continue their conference schedule, while Rutgers will aim to rebound in their next game.

The takeaway

This close matchup between USC and Rutgers showcased the competitive nature of men's college basketball, with both teams leaving it all on the court in an entertaining game that came down to the final minutes.