Late Run Lifts Mens Basketball Over USC (Ha!)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026

MEN’S BASKETBALL | @OregonMBB

Late Run Lifts Oregon over USC

LOS ANGELES — Oregon closed the game on a 7-0 run in the final 51 seconds, capped by two free throws from Nate Bittle with 10 seconds left, to edge USC Trojans men's basketball 71-70 on Saturday at the Galen Center.

Oregon (10-17, 3-13) trailed 70-64 with under a minute remaining before Kwame Evans Jr. ignited the winning run. Evans drove for a layup with 59 seconds to play, then buried a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound with 51 seconds left to pull the Ducks within 70-69. After a defensive stop and a rebound by Bittle, the 7-footer calmly knocked down two free throws to give Oregon its first lead since early in the half.

USC (18-9, 7-9) had one last chance, but a turnover by Alijah Arenas in the closing seconds sealed the Ducks’ win.

Evans led Oregon with 21 points, hitting a career-high 11 of 13 free throws and adding eight rebounds. He scored 18 of his points in the second half. Bittle added 14 points, 11 rebounds and four steals, anchoring the Ducks inside and finishing 4 of 6 from the line, including the go-ahead attempts. Takai Simpkins scored 12 points, while Drew Carter contributed a career-best 11.

The Ducks shot 45.1% from the field (23 of 51) and made 21 of 27 free throws (77.8%). Oregon dominated the paint with 30 points and converted 14 second-chance points, capitalizing on eight offensive rebounds. The Ducks also turned 11 USC turnovers into 25 points.

How It Happened: The first half featured 10 lead changes as neither team built separation. USC grabbed its largest lead at 23-15 midway through the opening period after back-to-back 3-pointers from Chad Baker-Mazara. Oregon responded with an 8-0 run and carried a 35-32 lead into halftime after Carter’s layup in the final seconds.

In the second half, Oregon pushed its advantage to five points at 43-38 following a Bittle tip-in with 16:41 remaining. USC answered with an 8-0 run midway through the period, highlighted by Arenas’ back-to-back baskets, to take a 52-47 lead. The Trojans extended the margin to seven, their largest of the half, at 63-56 with 4:54 to play.

From there, Oregon chipped away. Evans repeatedly got to the foul line, converting six straight free throws over the final five minutes to keep the Ducks within striking distance. Simpkins added a midrange jumper with 2:52 left to cut the deficit to three before Evans’ late heroics completed the comeback.

USC shot 38.3% (23 of 60) and finished 6 of 19 from 3-point range. Ezra Ausar led the Trojans with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Baker-Mazara added 21 points, including three 3-pointers in the first half.

Notable: Oregon has now defeated USC in four consecutive games on the road … Evans Jr. recorded his fourth 20-point game of the season, setting a new career high with 11 made free throws … Bittle set a new career best with four steals, adding 14 points and 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season … Drew Carter scored a career-high 11 points, his second career double-figure outing.

Up Next: Oregon returns home to play Wisconsin on Wednesday (8 p.m., Big Ten Network).