UCLA dominates USC 89-68, sweeping rivalry and ending Trojans' NCAA Tournament hopes
Rivalry games have a way of stripping a season down to its emotional bones. And sometimes the final score carries a clear verdict. On Saturday night inside the Galen Center, UCLA delivered one with ruthless clarity.The Bruins walked into their rival’s house and walked out with an 89–68 victory over USC, sweeping the season series and leaving the Trojans staring into the quiet, uncomfortable reality of March without an NCAA Tournament invitation.For UCLA, it felt like a statement written in bold blue ink.For USC, it felt like a door slamming shut.The Bruins were sharp, aggressive and composed — the kind of team head coach Mick Cronin has been trying to sculpt all season.Cronin has built a reputation over two decades, dating back to Cincinnati, as a coach obsessed with defensive discipline and mental toughness.
“Defense is all I worry about with this team,” said Cronin after the victory.“We definitely did it against Nebraska and we did it tonight.
But the fight is not over with that.We can go right back to who we were, which was a bad defensive team.”Saturday night looked exactly like the kind of game he dreams about: physical defense, efficient offense and a star guard taking over the spotlight.That star was Donovan Dent, who played like a man tired of hearing about what he can’t do.Dent poured in 25 points on 11-for-15 shooting, slicing through USC’s defense with the calm confidence of a player who knew the night belonged to him.
He added seven assists as UCLA cruised to victory in hostile territory. “I feel good with the ball in my hands and the team trusts me,” said Dent who had 55 points and no turnovers in the two games against USC.“Rivals are always the best games.
I look forward to them every year.So to come out victorious in both is a good feeling,”Forward Tyler Bilodeau added 16 points, providing the kind of interior balance that makes UCLA dangerous when the postseason begins.“Someone had to score,” joked Cronin of Bilo...