With less than a month to go in the regular season, USC basketball is fighting for its NCAA Tournament life every time out. A loss to Penn State, who currently sits near the bottom of the Big Ten, would be catastrophic.

USC nearly fell into that trap on Sunday in Happy Valley before it was bailed out by its star. As the clock was ticking down, standout guard Alijah Arenas spun into the lane and drained a tough shot with less than a second remaining to give the Trojans a 77-75 victory.

USC is right on the NCAA Tournament bubble and fighting for position in the Big Ten standings, so it can't afford any bad losses at this point in the year. Sunday wasn't the best performance for Eric Musselman and company, but Arenas saved them from a potentially catastrophic result.

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Arenas missed the start of the season after he was involved in a scary car accident, but he has been stellar for USC ever since returning to the lineup. He had another excellent day on Sunday, with 24 points including the game-winner.

Arenas also put up 29 points last time out against Indiana, so it's clear that he is starting to find his footing on the floor during his freshman season despite only playing in six games. He started his career in a shooting slump, but he is now finding his groove.

Adding a scorer like Arenas to the rotation, if he can continue playing at this level, would be a big boost for a Trojans group that could use an injection of life on the offensive end. Star wing Chad Baker-Mazara missed Sunday's game with an injury, forcing Arenas to step into a bigger role.

USC will remain in the projected NCAA Tournament field for the moment after a 2-0 week with wins over Indiana and Penn State, but things can change quickly in the Big Ten. Next up for the Trojans is a tough road test against Ohio State, another bubble team, and then a very difficult home game against No. 5 Illinois.