Los Angeles, CA—Danny Wolf delivered a standout performance with a season-high 21 points and 13 rebounds, propelling Michigan to an 85-74 win over Southern California on Saturday night.
Wolf, recording his seventh double-double of the season, shot 9-for-12 from the field, including two three-pointers. He also contributed seven assists and a career-high six blocks for the Wolverines (11-3, 3-0 Big Ten).
Tre Donaldson and Nimari Burnett added 16 points each, with Donaldson also dishing out six assists. Roddy Gayle Jr. chipped in 12 points, while Vladislav Goldin contributed 11 to round out Michigan’s balanced attack.
For the Trojans (9-5, 1-2), Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates III each scored 19 points, with Claude also grabbing seven rebounds. Kevin Patton Jr. added 14 points, and Saint Thomas contributed 10.
Michigan held a slim 42-38 lead at halftime, thanks to Burnett and Donaldson’s combined 7-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc.
USC opened the second half with a Claude jumper, but Michigan responded with a dominant 13-0 run fueled by Wolf and Goldin. Wolf scored four baskets, while Goldin added a three-point play and a dunk, giving the Wolverines a commanding 55-40 lead with 16 minutes to play.
The Trojans fought back, taking a 65-63 lead after a layup by Patton with 7:33 left. However, Michigan responded with a decisive 10-0 run, highlighted by six points from Gayle, to reclaim a 73-65 advantage with just over five minutes remaining.
USC cut the deficit to two points before Michigan sealed the victory with another 10-0 surge, featuring key baskets from Goldin and Wolf.
The matchup marked the teams’ first meeting since Dec. 27, 1981, when USC claimed a 77-63 win in the Holiday Classic at the L.A. Sports Arena.
Michigan will remain in Los Angeles to face No. 15 UCLA on Tuesday, while USC travels to Indiana for a Wednesday matchup.
