Alijah Arenas hits game winner against Penn State, USC improves to 18-6

PENNSYLVANIA -- The Alijah Arenas express has officially left the station. 

Coming into this matchup, Arenas was coming off a career night at the Galen Center against Indiana last Tuesday, scoring 29 points and snagging six rebounds in 37 minutes. 

USC head coach Eric Musselman called the freshman's performance "pretty damn impressive," so how could the 18-year-old respond to a career night as the Trojans travel to Pennsylvania? 

With 12 seconds left and USC down to their final possession, Musselman drew up a play that he had designed for Alijah's father, three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, during his time as a head coach for the Golden State Warriors nearly two decades ago. 

Kam Woods inbounded the ball, with Arenas catching it on top of the key, and two spin moves later, he secured the game-winning layup from his right hand over two Nittany Lions defenders. 

That wasn't the only clutch play under Arenas' belt, as he was able to hit two late three-pointers to extend the Trojans' lead in the second half. 

By the end of regulation, Arenas had notched a team-high 24 points, scoring 15 of those points in the second half alone, and took most of the offensive prowess for himself with USC's leading scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, riding the bench due to a knee injury he suffered in the second half against Indiana. 

Along with Arenas, Woods, and Ezra Ausar had consistent showings on the floor, each knocking down 13 points and a combined six steals to their credit. 

With this win, the Trojans keep their NCAA March Madness hopes alive, and with just seven games left, all of which are Big Ten matches, the Trojans are within striking distance if they can keep their consistency at bay.