There shall be no extra photographs like this. For USC, a crew simply stepping into type, its alternatives to make its case to the NCAA event choice committee have been so sparse from right here on out that it couldn’t afford to lose any survivors. At the least in opposition to its arch-rival, UCLA, one of many solely Pac-12 groups able to garnering the eye of the committee.
It was with the stakes on his shoulders that Boogie Ellis stepped again from the highest of the Keys on Thursday night time and let a three-pointer fly within the ultimate minute. Just a few weeks in the past, when the 2 crosstown rivals final met, it was Ellis who broke open down the stretch, committing an inexplicable offensive foul that turned the tide late.
This time, the Trojan level guard could be his personal one-man tidal wave, sweeping away UCLA with a second-half effort that may be essentially the most memorable within the rivalry’s current historical past. This time, with Ellis searching for redemption and USC seeking to make an announcement, the fiery comeback would fall quick in a 77-64 victory over UCLA.
USC coach Andy Enfield stated, “We wanted an enormous assertion win.”
USC bought simply that on Thursday with its second straight loss to UCLA and its fifth straight on the Gallen Middle. The Trojans are only one sport behind the Bruins within the Pac-12 race, a prospect that appeared unlikely only some weeks in the past.
UCLA stays within the driver’s seat on this regard, having received 14 straight previous to their present shedding streak. However the Bruins’ lackluster efforts within the second half left loads of questions of their wake. Specifically why their offense allow them to down in back-to-back second shutouts in opposition to USC.
“We’re no magicians,” stated UCLA coach Mick Cronin. “I had no illusions about going undefeated within the Pac-12.”
For David Singleton, there is a easy reply to why UCLA as soon as once more break up after halftime.
USC guard Drew Peterson, proper, blocks UCLA guard Jaime Jacquez Jr.’s shot throughout the second half.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)
“For my part, I feel they needed it greater than us,” stated Singleton, who scored 14 factors. “I feel they labored laborious, they needed it extra, they bought their job accomplished.”
By the point Ellis fired that ultimate three on Thursday, USC was already capable of unleash a second-half barrage on UCLA, burying the Bruins with deep photographs and suffocating them on ball screens.
By half time UCLA was in full management, clinging to a wholesome lead, in what appeared to be an extended haul to maintain the Trojans away.
However this time, it was an extended wait. This time Drew Peterson hit a boundary. Then freshman Trey White. Then Alice. and Alice. And Alice once more.
Within the ultimate 17 minutes on Thursday, USC hit 13 of its final 20 photographs, seven of which got here from its level guard, who went on to attain 27 factors within the second half.
“It is a very particular sport,” Enfield stated.
There was little UCLA may do to gradual Ellis down. His 27 second-half factors after halftime matched the Bruins’ whole crew, as Enfield known as one isolation play after one other for his level guard.
“When he turns it on, he is actually laborious to defend,” Enfield stated. “He performed like a first-round draft choose tonight. It was very spectacular.
He wasn’t precisely awe-inspiring earlier than halftime, lacking his first 5 three-point makes an attempt of the sport.
He and Peterson have been each a mixed 4 of 12 earlier than the half, as UCLA jumped out to an early lead. They’d end with a mixed 47 factors.
USC had no solutions within the first half for freshman ahead Adem Bona’s power on the inside.
Nor did it gradual Singleton’s taking pictures stroke from past the arc, the place he contributed 4 three-pointers.
“We have been getting killed at halftime, similar to the primary half final time in Pauley,” Peterson stated.
USC forwards Kobe Johnson, left, and Joshua Morgan, proper, battle for rebounds with UCLA guard Jaylen Clark throughout the first half.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)
USC guard Boogie Ellis celebrates throughout the second half Thursday.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)
However on the break the Trojans regrouped as soon as once more. He closed in on Bona, stopping him on one shot.
He closed the lane, stopping any drives for level guard Tiger Campbell, who didn’t make a discipline purpose after the half.
He made extra makes an attempt on the boards. Then, Ellis went nuclear, firing till lastly needing only one final basket.
That is when the purpose guard pulled away, freshman Amari Bailey in his face. The shot solely discovered the online, handing USC its largest win of the season — and a serious assertion forward of March.
“It is a begin,” stated Alice. We nonetheless have much more to show. To win a sport in opposition to UCLA, that is nice. It is nice for rivalry. However we nonetheless have much more to show.”
