Donovan Dent Leads UCLA to a Big Win Over USC with 30 Points
UCLA Triumphs Over USC in Riveting Big Ten Showdown
In a clash marked by contrasting fortunes, the UCLA Bruins secured a decisive 81-62 victory against the USC Trojans on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. This matchup, the first of two pivotal Big Ten confrontations in a span of 11 days, left the Bruins celebrating as they sent their fans home satisfied.
Donovan Dent emerged as the standout performer, scoring 30 points and providing seven assists. He was supported by Trent Perry and Tyler Bilodeau, both contributing 13 points, while Xavier Booker added 11 points and recorded three blocks. With this win, UCLA improved its record to 19-9 overall and 11-6 in Big Ten play, maintaining its position in seventh place as the regular season winds down with three games remaining.
As the second half progressed, UCLA displayed sharp shooting, converting 10 of 12 attempts in the critical late stages. A three-pointer by Eric Freeny boosted the Bruins’ lead to 14 points with just over two minutes left. UCLA dominated inside, scoring 32 points in the paint and capitalizing with 15 points off turnovers.
This impressive performance followed UCLA’s remarkable comeback victory over 10th-ranked Illinois, where they rallied from a 23-point deficit to win in overtime. In contrast, USC was reeling from a narrow 71-70 loss to Oregon just days earlier.
The rivalry reached its 266th meeting with both teams donning dark jerseys, a matchup that began in 1928 when UCLA joined the Pacific Coast Conference. Historically, UCLA now leads the series 150-116.
USC’s Chad Baker-Mazara started strong, hitting four three-pointers and finishing the first half with 14 points. However, the Trojans struggled to find consistent scoring support, as no other player managed more than four points in the opening half. UCLA initially found themselves trailing until Bilodeau’s 15-foot jumper gave them an 8-7 lead four and a half minutes into the game.
A vital 12-2 run allowed UCLA to seize control, establishing a 29-23 advantage while USC hit a rough patch, making only one of their eight attempts from the field. USC narrowed the gap with a layup from Ezra Ausar, but a dunk from Booker sparked a 7-0 run, culminating in a buzzer-beating jumper from Dent that secured a 38-29 lead at halftime.
Dent’s first-half performance was particularly notable, as he scored 19 points and outpaced USC’s total during the final nine minutes of the half, contributing to a stellar shooting display of five for six from three-point range.
The second half saw UCLA extend its lead to 11 points, while USC struggled offensively, shooting only one of 11 during a crucial stretch without a basket for nearly four minutes. The Trojans’ star guard Alijah Arenas faced difficulties, finishing with 10 points and five turnovers, capped by an early charging foul that hindered his performance. Baker-Mazara led USC with 25 points, but the Trojans fell to 18-10 overall and 7-10 in the conference, marking their fourth consecutive loss.
