But the Hoosiers failed to do the latter as they went on a field goal drought that lasted nearly six and half minutes in the fourth quarter. Although Indiana knocked down six free throws during the dry spell, USC scored 19 points, which allowed it to build an insurmountable gap.

Indiana never gave in. USC led 70-61 with 2:15 left, but a 3-pointer by Moore-McNeil finally ended Indiana’s field goal drought and a jumper by Bargesser with 1:25 left gave Indiana a chance and cut the deficit to four, 70-66.

Indiana outrebounded USC 13-9, gave up 7 fastbreak points and did not allow the Trojans to get to the free-throw line. The Hoosiers pulled within 1 point of the Trojans at the end of the third quarter, putting them in position to make a run in the fourth quarter.

The new Big Ten teams have made the conference race that much more challenging. This time, JuJu Watkins and No. 4 USC come to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.