Chad Baker-Mazara scored 29 points with five three-pointers to lead USC to a 73-71 victory over Wisconsin on Sunday, ending the Badgers' five-game winning streak. The Trojans overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half to secure the upset in Madison. Ezra Ausar added 17 points for USC, while Nick Boyd led Wisconsin with 29 points.
The USC Trojans pulled off a dramatic comeback against the Wisconsin Badgers in a Big Ten men's basketball matchup at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, on January 25, 2026. Tipoff occurred at 4:00 p.m. ET, streamed exclusively on Peacock.
Wisconsin entered the game riding high after five straight wins, including a 98-71 rout of Penn State on January 22. The Badgers, who improved to 14-5 overall (6-2 Big Ten) with that streak, held a commanding 58-46 lead with 12 minutes remaining, sparked by Nick Boyd's three-pointer, two free throws, and a layup during a 17-2 run. However, Wisconsin struggled down the stretch, making just 4 of 16 field goals. Boyd finished with 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, supported by Nolan Winter's 12 points and John Blackwell's 11.
USC, coming off losses in four of their previous six games and sitting at 14-5 overall (3-5 Big Ten), mounted a 16-2 surge over the next seven minutes, with Baker-Mazara contributing the final seven points to take a 62-60 lead with 4:54 left. Blackwell's two free throws tied it at 65-65 with 3:13 remaining, but Ausar responded with back-to-back baskets, Baker-Mazara scored in the lane, and Jerry Easter II sealed the win with two free throws with two seconds on the clock.
Jacob Cofie notched nine points, 11 rebounds, and five assists for USC. The Trojans shot efficiently in the clutch, improving to 15-5 overall (4-5 Big Ten). Wisconsin's poor second-half shooting—34% overall (23-of-67) and 24% from three (9-of-37)—proved costly in the narrow defeat, dropping them to 14-6 (6-3 Big Ten). USC next visits Iowa on Wednesday, while Wisconsin hosts Minnesota the same day.