Full Breakdown
USC Trojans Capture 2025 Southwest Maui Invitational Title
11/27/2025, 2:21:04 PM
Championship Overview
The USC Trojans secured their first Southwest Maui Invitational championship by defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 88-75 on November 26, 2025. This victory marks USC's first multi-team event title since the 2017 Diamond Head Classic. The Trojans, now 7-0 for the season, showcased their offensive prowess and defensive strength throughout the tournament.
Key Performers
Chad Baker-Mazara was instrumental in USC's success, leading all scorers with 23 points, including four three-pointers. His performance earned him the tournament MVP title, making him the first player to win back-to-back MVP awards at the Southwest Maui Invitational. Jaden Brownell contributed significantly off the bench with a season-high 16 points, while Ezra Ausar added 14 points. Jacob Cofie rounded out the scoring with 11 points, along with eight rebounds and three blocks.
Game Dynamics
The championship game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads in the first half. USC initially fell behind but rallied to tie the game at halftime, 43-43. The second half saw USC take control, propelled by a 5-0 run to start the half. The Trojans maintained their lead, with Baker-Mazara scoring 12 points in the second half, helping USC to its largest lead of the game at 77-66 with just over five minutes remaining.
Arizona State, despite a strong performance from Maurice Odum, who scored 17 points, struggled to keep pace. The Sun Devils shot 42.3% from the field and were limited to 32% from three-point range, their second-worst shooting night of the season.
Statistical Highlights
USC's shooting efficiency was notable, as they connected on 59.6% of their field goals and 40.9% from beyond the arc. The Trojans also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Arizona State 32-21. The bench depth was a significant factor, with USC outscoring ASU's bench 31-23.
Official Statements & Responses
Head Coach Eric Musselman expressed pride in his team's performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a confident mentality as they prepare for upcoming conference games. Baker-Mazara reflected on his MVP achievement, stating, "Ain't nobody could tell me nothing, right? Thanks to the guys and the coach for putting us in position to be able to become successful."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, Arizona State's coach Bobby Hurley noted the need for improvement, particularly in sustaining momentum during critical moments of the game. The Sun Devils had previously shown strong performances in the tournament, including a notable upset against Texas.
What's Next
USC will return to the mainland to prepare for their first Big Ten game of the season against the Oregon Ducks on December 2, 2025. Meanwhile, Arizona State, now 6-2, will face Oklahoma on December 6, 2025.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you coach a team, you're always mentally thinking about, you know, positives, things that could go wrong. Right now, we're building, like, a super confident mentality.” — Eric Musselman, Head Coach, USC
