UCLA Bruins Fall at Home to Trojans, 62-56
After coming back from 13 down to tie the game at the half, the Bruins struggled in the second half and weren't able to beat their crosstown rivals.
Since Dimitri’s off at the Kings-Ducks game tonight, you’ve got me writing the postgame, which means we’re back to a more traditional postgame article.
And, I think we can all agree to blame his absence for tonight’s loss. It certainly had nothing to do with my pre-game prediction of a 20-point UCLA win.
Anyway, let’s get to the game.
This game was close for the first eight minutes with neither team leading by more than three. With 11:48 to and Southern Cal up 13-12, Boogie Ellis nailed a three to put the Trojans up by four. After a pair of free throws by Ellis, Southern Cal was now up 18-12.
With just under nine minutes to go in the half, Ellis nailed another three and the Trojans were out ahead 23-14. A pair of jumpers by Ellis and Bronny James gave Southern Cal a 27-14 lead with eight to go in the half. But UCLA’s Brandon Williams hit a three to cut the deficit to ten, 27-17.
DJ Rodman immediately responded with a three of his own to put the lead back up to 13. Following a pair of free throws by Sebastian Mack, Kobe Johnson continued SC’s long-distance assault and the Trojans led by 14, 33-19, with 5:41 left in the half.
At this point, the Bruins woke up and went on a 15-1 run to end the half with the score knotted up at 34-34.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, they were unable to re-create the magic of their first half comeback in the second half as Southern Cal stormed back out to a ten-point lead, 44-34. With 8:46 left, the Trojans extended their lead back to 13, 52-39.
Over the next one minute and 15 seconds, the Bruins cut the lead back down to seven, back they wouldn’t get any closer until Sebastian Mack hit a three with eight seconds left to pull within six, 62-56, and that’s how this one ended.
Boogie Ellis led all scorers with 24 points while Adem Bona led the Bruins with 14.
Next week, UCLA goes on the road for the final time in the Pac-12 when they visit the Washington schools.
Go Bruins.
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Honestly this one is my bad. Girlfriend bought us hockey tickets for Christmas (she's from Minnesota) and I hadn't yet trained her in looking at schedules. We'll watch film and work to get better going forward.
An aspect of NIL that hasn't been examined is its effect on player attitude. How often have we seen a professional athlete sign a big contract only for their game to tank the following year? College players now have an I -got-mine attitude knowing their cushy apartment, sweet wheels and deep expense account are secure, and not jeopardized by performance nor minutes earned. If professional athletes can be fined for their behavior and poor play then why can't paid professional collegiate athletes be fined for the same? The entire system is trashing college athletics.