USC
8-12,2-7Pac-12
UCLA
9-11,4-5Pac-12
USC Men's Basketball Falls To UCLA, 65-50
January 27, 2024 | Men's Basketball
Oziyah Sellers scored 10 points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from the field, but it wasn't enough as USC men's basketball fell to UCLA, 65-60, at home on Saturday. The loss extended the Trojans' skid to five games.
The game saw the return of captain Boogie Ellis, who missed the last three games due to injury. He scored all eight of his points in the first half with three rebounds and two assists. Kobe Johnson also scored eight with three boards and three dimes.
The Bruins (9-11, 4-5 Pac-12) dominated the Trojans (8-12, 2-7 Pac-12) in the paint, winning the rebounding edge 41-29 and scoring 13 second-chance points on 15 offensive boards.
Ellis' presence was established early when he hit two quick 3-pointers and a midrange jumper to start the game. The Trojans held a seven-point lead midway into the first half when USC broke out on a 10-run.
UCLA, which ranks last in the Pac-12 in 3-point shooting in conference games, retook the lead in the closing minutes with a 22-2 stretch that featured four made treys. The Bruins went into halftime with a 37-26 lead.
The Bruins maintained their lead for the entirety of the second half as the Trojans failed to go on a major scoring run to start a comeback bid. Neither team shot better than 30 percent from the field.
The Trojans remain at Galen Center next weekend with home contests against Oregon on Thursday (7:30 p.m. PT/ESPN) and Oregon State on Saturday (4:00 p.m. PT/Pac-12 Networks).
