Washington pulled off a stunning 18-point comeback to upset No. 24 USC 84-76 yesterday, with Hannes Steinbach putting on a masterclass with 24 points and 16 rebounds. The Huskies rallied from a devastating halftime deficit in Los Angeles to deliver the Trojans their first loss of the season in a Big Ten thriller.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Washington trailed by 18 points at halftime against the previously undefeated Trojans
- Hannes Steinbach tied a career high with 16 rebounds while contributing 24 points
- Desmond Claude, a USC transfer, scored 22 points against his former team
- This was USC‘s first loss of the season, dropping them to 8-1 overall
Steinbach’s Dominant Double-Double Powers Historic Comeback
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Hannes Steinbach was the engine that drove Washington‘s remarkable turnaround. The freshman put together one of his most complete performances of the season, recording a 24-point, 16-rebound double-double that would have been enough to win most games. Steinbach‘s combination of scoring punch and relentless rebounding gave the Huskies the foundation they needed to storm back.
What made Steinbach‘s performance even more impressive was the context. Washington looked completely overmatched in the first half, falling 18 points behind the undefeated Trojans. Yet Steinbach refused to let his team fold, maintaining his intensity on both ends of the floor. His 16 rebounds tied his career high and provided Washington with crucial second-chance opportunities.
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The Huskies also got critical contributions from their USC transfer contingent, leaving no doubt that Washington had assembled pieces capable of competing at the highest level.
Former Trojans Lead Second-Half Explosion Against Their Old School
Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates III, both USC transfers, put their former team on notice with dominant second-half performances. Claude finished with 22 points and was crucial down the stretch, hitting crucial shots that kept Washington pushing forward in crunch time. Yates added 16 points of his own, creating multiple scoring opportunities as the Huskies seized control of the game.
The narrative of two USC transfers leading the charge against their former program added an extra layer of intrigue to the comeback. Claude‘s performance was particularly important—sources confirmed he scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half and delivered a crucial layup with under a minute remaining. Yates provided steady scoring and helped stabilize Washington‘s offense when it mattered most.
This combination of Steinbach‘s inside dominance and the USC transfers‘ outside scoring proved impossible for the Trojans to contain, especially after falling completely flat in the second half.
USC’s Historic Collapse Ends Perfect Season in Big Ten Opener
| Team | First Half | Second Half | Final |
| USC | +18 lead | Complete collapse | 76 (Loss) |
| Washington | -18 deficit | 26-8 run | 84 (Win) |
USC entered their Big Ten home opener undefeated at 8-0, looking like a potential tournament team. Instead, the Trojans delivered one of the worst collapses seen in recent college basketball. After dominating the first half and building a commanding 18-point lead, USC completely fell apart defensively. Washington responded with a devastating 26-8 run to close out the game, leaving no doubt about who wanted it more down the stretch.
The Trojans‘ inability to contain Washington in the second half was the defining moment of the contest. USC showed zero adjustments defensively and Washington punished them relentlessly. It was a humbling loss for a team that looked championship-caliber just two hours earlier.
What This Means for Both Programs Moving Forward
Washington‘s victory represents the most impressive win of their young season. The Huskies demonstrated that they can compete with and beat ranked opposition, even when facing a 18-point deficit against an undefeated opponent. This kind of resilience and late-game execution will be critical as they navigate Big Ten play. Coach Danny Sprinkle‘s squad just announced itself as a program capable of hanging with the conference’s elite.
USC, meanwhile, must figure out what went catastrophically wrong in the second half. The Trojans entered Big Ten play with high expectations but showed serious red flags in this collapse. Coach Eric Musselman‘s team will need to make major adjustments if they want to return to championship contention. One loss doesn’t define a season, but the manner of this loss will sting.
Watch Highlights: Washington’s Stunning Comeback
Sources
- ESPN – Official game recap and box score coverage
- Los Angeles Times – On-site coverage of USC’s first loss and Washington’s historic comeback
- University of Washington Athletics – Official team statement and player statistics
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.