Recap
3 min read

Did Minnesota Golden Gophers' Overtime Effort Against USC Trojans Fall Short at Williams Arena?

The Minnesota Golden Gophers faced off against the USC Trojans in a closely contested game at Williams Arena. The final score was 70-69, with the Trojans narrowly edging out the Gophers. This result leaves the Golden Gophers with a record of 0-1, while the Trojans improve to 1-0.


Jan 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Isaac Asuma (1) looks to shoot against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half saw both teams battling for dominance on the court. The Trojans managed to take an early lead, scoring 35 points compared to Minny's 30. Cade Tyson was instrumental for the Golden Gophers during this period, contributing significantly with his offensive prowess and defensive efforts.


Second Half


In the second half, Minny fought back valiantly, outscoring SC by three points and bringing their total to 33 for this segment. Bobby Durkin played a crucial role in closing this gap with his impressive shooting accuracy and rebounding skills. Despite their efforts, they could not completely overcome SC's lead.


Jan 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Chad Baker-Mazara (4) shoots over Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Isaac Asuma (1) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Overtime


The game reached its climax in overtime as both teams pushed hard for victory. The Minnesota Golden Gophers vs USC Trojans turning point came when Langston Reynolds made a critical play that kept Minny within striking distance of SC's scoreline review of seven points in overtime.


Despite their best efforts and some standout performances from key players like Cade Tyson and Bobby Durkin, who combined for significant contributions across various statistics including rebounds and assists, Minny fell just short as they were unable to capitalize on crucial opportunities during this period.


Jan 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (5) shoots over Southern California Trojans forward Ezra Ausar (2) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

As fans reflect on Minnesota Golden Gophers final whistle reaction from this intense matchup against SC at Williams Arena, attention now turns towards their next challenge against Wisconsin Badgers scheduled for January 13th at home in Minneapolis' Williams Arena starting at 7:00 PM EDT which will be broadcasted live on BTN network TV channel.


Share your thoughts about how you think Minny can bounce back!

Rate the article

Related stories

Did Minnesota Golden Gophers' Defensive Tenacity Overcome Iowa Hawkeyes' Second Half Push at Wil...
Recap

Did Minnesota Golden Gophers' Defensive Tenacity Overcome Iowa Hawkeyes' Second Half Push at Williams Arena?

2 min read
Minnesota Golden Gophers Outshine Northwestern Wildcats in a Second-Half Surge
Recap

Minnesota Golden Gophers Outshine Northwestern Wildcats in a Second-Half Surge

3 min read
Minnesota Golden Gophers Outshine FDU Knights with Stellar Team Play
Recap

Minnesota Golden Gophers Outshine FDU Knights with Stellar Team Play

3 min read
Minnesota Golden Gophers Dominate Campbell Fighting Camels with Stellar Defense and Offensive Pr...
Recap

Minnesota Golden Gophers Dominate Campbell Fighting Camels with Stellar Defense and Offensive Prowess

2 min read