Alijah Arenas Hits Career-High 29 as USC Outlasts
Alijah Arenas USC vs Indiana February 2026 highlights
Freshman sensation Alijah Arenas officially announced his arrival on the national stage on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, delivering a career-best performance to lead the USC Trojans to a gritty 81-75 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers. Playing in just his fifth collegiate game following a summer knee injury, the five-star recruit exploded for 29 points, nearly matching his entire season total in a single night. Arenas’ breakout comes at a critical juncture for the Trojans (17-6, 6-6 Big Ten), who were forced to adapt mid-game after leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara left the contest early in the second half with a knee injury. The victory at the Galen Center not only snapped Indiana’s three-game winning streak but also significantly bolstered USC’s standing on the NCAA tournament bubble.
The game was a physical, back-and-forth affair that saw USC dominate the interior while Indiana relied on high-volume perimeter shooting. Arenas struggled early with his efficiency, starting just 4-of-14 from the field, but he found his rhythm late in the second half when the Trojans needed it most. He finished the night shooting 9-of-23 from the floor, including 3-of-9 from beyond the arc, and was nearly perfect from the charity stripe, converting 8-of-9 free throws. His impact extended beyond scoring, as he secured a career-high six rebounds and played a pivotal role in the final seconds, sinking two ice-cold free throws with 14 seconds remaining to seal the 81-75 final score.
Indiana’s offense was almost entirely dependent on senior guard Lamar Wilkerson, who put up a valiant 33-point effort. Wilkerson kept the Hoosiers (15-8, 6-6) within striking distance despite foul trouble that limited him to just 12 minutes in the first half. The Hoosiers mounted a frantic late-game comeback, utilizing a 14-5 run to trim a 14-point deficit down to just two points in the final minute. However, Indiana’s lack of secondary scoring and their struggles on the glass ultimately proved fatal; USC dominated the rebounding battle 40-25, converting 11 offensive boards into 15 critical second-chance points. Defensive standout Gabe Dynes anchored the Trojans’ interior, recording three blocks to disrupt Indiana’s late-game drives.
The win marks a major turning point for Arenas, who had faced questions regarding his shooting efficiency since his debut on January 21. By stepping up in the absence of Baker-Mazara and with fellow starters Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie fouling out late, Arenas demonstrated the poise and leadership expected of his five-star pedigree. The Trojans now look ahead to a challenging road matchup against Penn State on Sunday, while Indiana returns home to Bloomington to host Wisconsin. As the Big Ten race heats up, Arenas’ emergence provides USC with a dynamic scoring threat capable of taking over games when the pressure is highest.
