Maryland vs USC: Trojans beat Terrapins 88-71, Marsh scores 20

USC bounced back from a three-game losing streak with a decisive 88-71 victory over Maryland on Tuesday night. Jordan Marsh led the charge with 20 points and four 3-pointers, both season highs, propelling the Trojans to their third Big Ten win. The Terrapins continue to struggle after falling to 0-6 in conference play.

Marsh’s Explosive Second Half Fueled Trojans Comeback

Jordan Marsh delivered the performance of his season when USC needed it most. The junior guard scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half, hitting four clutch three-pointers to lift the Trojans past a scrappy Maryland squad. Marsh’s burst came at a critical moment, with USC trailing late in the first half.

With 13:51 remaining in the game, Ezra Ausar converted a three-point play that sparked a 10-0 run, giving USC the lead for good at 58-52. Maryland briefly threatened when David Coit hit a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to 63-59, but the Terrapins went silent for the next four minutes, 58 seconds. Marsh then took over, combining with Jacob Cofie and Gabe Dynes to push the lead to 14 points with just five minutes remaining.

Bench Depth Powers USC Past Injured Trojans Squad

USC relied heavily on its bench production after losing star guard Chad Baker-Mazara for the second half due to a neck injury. Baker-Mazara, who entered averaging 19.9 points per game, scored just seven points in eight first-half minutes before being held out after the break.

Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie each contributed 12 points, while Gabe Dynes and Jerry Easter II added 10 points apiece. This balanced scoring attack showcased the depth Eric Musselman’s squad has developed this season. The Trojans controlled the boards and limited Maryland to just 30 second-half points, clamping down defensively when it mattered most.

Coit’s Career Night Not Enough for Struggling Terrapins

David Coit put on an impressive individual performance, pouring in 30 points to lead all scorers and keep Maryland competitive early. The graduate transfer from Kansas has now recorded three games with 30 or more points this season, including a career-high 41 points against Mount St. Mary’s on November 19.

Team	Overall Record	Big Ten Record
USC	14-3	3-3
Maryland	7-10	0-6

Solomon Washington contributed 11 points and eight rebounds but fouled out in just 23 minutes, while Darius Adams also scored 11 points for the Terrapins. Despite Coit’s heroics, Maryland‘s offense stalled late, scoring just 30 points after half, dropping their fourth straight game and extending their Big Ten losing streak to a troubling record.

“Jordan Marsh hit four 3-pointers and finished with 20 points, both season highs, to help USC beat Maryland 88-71 on Tuesday night.”

— AP Sports, Game Recap

Head Coach Musselman Sees Team Respond After Injury Concerns

USC head coach Eric Musselman guided the Trojans to a much-needed road victory despite significant injury uncertainty surrounding Chad Baker-Mazara. The team’s ability to overcome Baker-Mazara’s early exit demonstrated the depth and resilience that Musselman has instilled during his second season in Los Angeles.

USC returns home to host No. 5 Purdue on Saturday, a matchup that will test whether the Trojans can maintain momentum against one of the Big Ten’s elite teams. Maryland faces Penn State at home on Sunday, looking to notch their first Big Ten victory of the season after their latest defeat in California.

What’s Next for Both Programs in the Big Ten Race?

USC’s path forward remains uncertain as they sit at 3-3 in a competitive Big Ten conference where Nebraska and Purdue lead at 6-0. The Trojans need to string together wins against elite competition to secure their tournament positioning. Meanwhile, Maryland’s winless 0-6 conference record places them in serious jeopardy heading into February, with Penn State at 0-6 also struggling alongside the Terrapins.

Can USC use this momentum to climb the Big Ten standings, and will Maryland finally break through against Penn State? The next two games will be pivotal for both programs’ NCAA tournament hopes.

Sources

• ESPN: Complete game recap with verified final score, box scores, and player statistics from January 13, 2026 matchup
• CBS Sports: Official gametracker with live scoring data and verified accounts of Jordan Marsh’s 20-point, 4 three-pointer performance
• LA Times: Game analysis and reporting on USC’s victory, Chad Baker-Mazara’s injury, and bench performance in Los Angeles