USC Trojans @ Indiana Hoosiers
Oumar Ballo's 23 points help Indiana power past USC, 82-69 for best start since 2015-16
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- — Oumar Ballo powered his way to 23 points and Indiana overcame an early double-digit deficit to beat USC 82-69 Wednesday.
The Hoosiers (13-3) earned their fourth win in five Big Ten Conference games, the program's best start since the 2015-16 season.
Playing for the first time at Bloomington, USC built a quick 10-point lead on a layup by Wesley Yates III eight minutes into the game, 19-9. Kanaan Carlyle knocked down a 3-pointer to get the Hoosiers within two, 24-22 with 6:18 left, and Myles Rice hit a pair at the line.
After Chibuzo Agbo's 3 put USC in front 27-24, Ballo grabbed a rebound, drew a foul and converted a pair of free throws, added two more from the line, a layup and a short jumper to help Indiana draw even at intermission, 38-38.
Ballo dunks 90-seconds apart helped the Hoosiers to a 57-47 lead, and when the Trojans got within single digits down the stretch, Rice found the seven-footer for a layup and a three-point play to hold USC at bay.
Mackenzie Mgbako scored 20 points in Indiana's 77-71 win over Penn State but was 0-8 from the floor and did not score.
Rice converted 9 of 11 at the line and finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Luke Goode hit 4 of 5 from deep and finished with 16. Trey Galloway contributed 11 points and six assists. Ballo finished two rebounds shy of his third straight double-double.
Yates finished with 18 points to lead USC (9-6, 1-3). Desmond Claude added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists and Saint Thomas and Agbo each added 11 points.
Indiana plays at Iowa. USC plays at No. 13 Illinois Saturday.
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Game Information
Bloomington, IN

Referee:Paul Szelc
Referee:Bart Lenox
Referee:Doug Sirmons

2025-26 Standings
| Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 19-1 | - | 37-3 |
| Nebraska | 15-5 | 4 | 28-7 |
| Michigan State | 15-5 | 4 | 27-8 |
| Illinois | 15-5 | 4 | 28-9 |
| Wisconsin | 14-6 | 5 | 24-11 |
| Purdue | 13-7 | 6 | 30-9 |
| UCLA | 13-7 | 6 | 24-12 |
| Ohio State | 12-8 | 7 | 21-13 |
| Iowa | 10-10 | 9 | 24-13 |
| Indiana | 9-11 | 10 | 18-14 |
| Minnesota | 8-12 | 11 | 15-18 |
| USC | 7-13 | 12 | 18-14 |
| Washington | 7-13 | 12 | 16-17 |
| Rutgers | 6-14 | 13 | 14-20 |
| Northwestern | 5-15 | 14 | 15-19 |
| Oregon | 5-15 | 14 | 12-20 |
| Maryland | 4-16 | 15 | 12-21 |
| Penn State | 3-17 | 16 | 12-20 |
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