USC Trojans Lose To Purdue Boilermakers After Controversial Final Play

The USC Trojans lost to the Purdue Boilermakers in the second round of the Big Ten tournament 76-71 on Thursday night. It was a back and forth affair, but the Trojans were unable to execute down the stretch.

Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) is fouled by USC Trojans forward Rashaun Agee (12) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans are took on the Purdue Boilermakers in the second round of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament on Thursday night. USC kept their season alive on Wednesday night with a thrilling 97-89 double overtime win over the No. 11 seed in the Big Ten, Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the 1st round.

Purdue ended any dreams USC had of an NCAA Tournament run, beating the Trojans 76-71. With the game tied at 71 with 28 seconds, Rashaun Agee was called for a questionable foul late in the shot clock that sent Purdue to the free throw line. The Boilermakers didn't look back.

Trojans coach Eric Musselman was asked in the postgame about the call.

"I saw what everybody saw, you know what I mean," Musselman said.

USC was lead by Desmond Claude's 18 points while Purdue got a big time performance from Trey Kaufman-Renn with 30 points and 12 rebounds.

USC Trojans forward Rashaun Agee (12) defends Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Purdue is a lock to make the NCAA Tournament with an overall record of 21-10. The Boilermakers are currently projected as a No. 4 seed in Joe Lunardi of ESPN’s latest bracketology update. They could potentially move up a seed line with a good performance in the Big Ten tournament. 

USC will fail to make the tournament for the second straight season and finishes the year with a 16-17 record.

Second Half

Purdue 76, USC 71: End of Game.

Purdue 76, USC 71: USC doesn't even get a shot up and turns it over. Trojans foul Braden Smith, who makes both free throws.

Purdue 74, USC 71: Claude misses point blank floater for the tie. Purdue goes to the line with 13 seconds and makes one of two. USC ball down three.

Purdue 73, USC 71: Boilermakers up two after a pair of free throws with 28 seconds left. Trojans ball.

Purdue 71, USC 71: Claude game tying jumper with 50 seconds to go. Questionable call on USC on the other end sending Purdue to the line.

Purdue 71, USC 69: Trading buckets with 1:41 to go.

Purdue 69, USC 67: Boilermakers up two at the under four timeout.

USC 65, Purdue 65: Tie game with six minutes remaining.

USC 63, Purdue 61: A back and forth game with 7:10 to go.

Purdue 59, USC 58: Purdue gets lead back on a Loyer layup with nine minutes to go.

USC 56, Purdue 52: Headed to under 12 media timeout.

USC 52, Purdue 47: Trojans lead back to five.

USC 47, Purdue 46: Trojans gets lead back with an Agee three. Bad news for USC is Desmond Claude has four fouls.

Purdue 43, USC 42: Purdue gets the lead back on a Loyer made three.

USC 38, Purdue 35: Wesley Yates gets the second half going by nailing a three.

First Half

USC 35, Purdue 35: A back and forth end to the half capped off with a Myles Colvin three pointer for Purdue. All tied up at the break.

USC 31, Purdue 28: Wesley Yates hits go ahead three. On the ensuing defensive possession, looks a little hobbled. Stays in game for now.

USC 28, Purdue 28: And the lead is gone just like that with four minutes to go in the first half.

USC 28, Purdue 26: Purdue has answered with an 8-0 run of their own.

USC 28, Purdue 23: A couple Purdue buckets and a careless USC turnover.

USC 28, Purdue 18: 14-1 Trojans run in last five minutes.

USC 25, Purdue 17: Trojans on an 11-0 run as they enter the under eight media timeout.

USC 19, Purdue 17: Wesley Yates layup gives USC the lead.

Purdue 17, USC 17: Each team struggling on offense for the past few minutes.

Purdue 17, USC 16: Saint Thomas gets and one reverse layup to fall for USC. Misses free throw.

Purdue 13, USC 12: Back to back Trojans buckets to cut lead to one. Claude picks up second foul for USC.

Purdue 13, USC 7: Fletcher Loyer drains three from the top of key for Purdue

Purdue 10, USC 7: Headed to first timeout with Trojans down three.

Purdue 7, USC 2: Purdue 7-0 run to take control early.

PREGAME

Back at it tonight ✌️

Arrivals delivered by @Postmates pic.twitter.com/xFLP7Bpgw8

— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) March 13, 2025

Starting five.

0 - C.J. Cox
1 - Caleb Furst
2 - Fletcher Loyer
3 - Braden Smith
4 - Trey Kaufman-Renn pic.twitter.com/xorqmlMyDc

— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) March 14, 2025

Big Ten Tournament Bracket

Mar 8, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) dunks the ball during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Purdue will take on the No. 3 seeded Michigan Wolverines on Friday. Michigan earned a double-bye and will be fresh. The winner of that quarterfinal battle will be taking on the winner between the No. 2 seeded Maryland Terrapins and No. 7 seeded Illinois Fighting Illini in the semifinals.

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