UCLA basketball holds on to snap 5-game losing streak to USC, a turnover machine

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — When USC forward Isaiah Mobley completed a three-point play with 1:22 to play, the sold-out crowd at Pauley Pavilion fell eerily silent. UCLA had led by 13 in the second half, but the ghosts of a five-game losing streak against the Trojans seemed to be arriving in the hallowed arena.

But this time, it was going to be different for the Bruins.

A fade-away jumper by forward Cody Riley of all people gave UCLA a little breathing room. It was the only make for the Bruins of their last 11 shots, but it would do. USC guard Max Agbonkpolo stepped out of bounds before a 3-point attempt, and the Bruins split their last six free throws while holding the Trojans to 0-for-4 shooting the close the game.

It was just enough for the 17th-ranked Bruins to take a 75-68 win over No. 16 USC, clinching the two-seed in the Pac-12 Tournament for the Bruins while dropping the Trojans to third.

Jaime Jaquez, who led all scorers with 27, hugged teammate Jules Bernard as the crowd chanted “U-C-L-A” to celebrate head coach Mick Cronin’s first win the rivalry.

UCLA came out like the team hungry for a long-awaited rivalry win. After both teams hit their first four shots, the Bruins blanked the Trojans for the next five minutes. UCLA’s full-court press hurried USC and resulted in eight first-half turnovers.

When Tyger Campbell passed up ahead to an open Jaylen Clark for a two-handed transition dunk, USC head coach Andy Enfield called timeout to try stem the tide of an 8-0 UCLA run. But Clark flexed at the Trojans before heading to his bench.

It wasn’t the last time Clark was in the middle of rivalry shenanigans. After going to the ground due to an Isaiah Mobley post up, Clark reached up and stole the ball from the USC forward. Mobley reached down to try to force a tied ball. When the refs blew their whistles, Mobley was standing over Clark. The Bruin guard got up without waiting for Mobley to clear out, knocking the Trojan into the base of the hoop.

After a quick review, it was determined the play had resulted in the Trojans’ third shot-clock violation of the first half, and nothing more.

Despite the Bruins’ energy and focus, USC stayed within six heading into halftime thanks to four made 3-pointers.

The Trojans’ hot shooting from behind the arc continued into the second half. Boogie Ellis connected through contact to convert a four-point play to tie the game at 47, though a Jaquez layup quickly retook the lead for the Bruins. Then a step-back 3 by Drew Peterson got USC within one with 12:06 to play.

But Jaquez responded with six straight for the Bruins, then found Jules Bernard in the corner for a 3-pointer to put the Bruins comfortably ahead again.

You could tell Jaquez was in USC’s head during that mini-run. The UCLA guard had pump-faked his way into numerous free throws. So when he threatened to pull up from mid-range, USC forward Chevez Goodwin didn’t bite, daring Jaquez to shoot, which he happily did for two points.

Jaquez made 10 of 16 shots while adding four assists after scoring a career-high 30 on Monday against Washington.

The Trojans had no one but themselves to blame for seeing their winning streak against UCLA come to an end. USC had 15 turnovers that led to 21 UCLA points, compared to just one giveaway by the Bruins.

ocregister.com

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