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UCLA Basketball: UCLA gets bRuined By USC

By Mike Regalado

Jan 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) is defended by Southern California Trojans guard Katin Reinhardt (5) during an NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) is defended by Southern California Trojans guard Katin Reinhardt (5) during an NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team suffered their worst home loss in the Steve Alford era as crosstown rival USC played fast all over the Bruins.

At least we now know where the Los Angeles-based Pac-12 schools stand… with USC owning this town, at least for now. The UCLA Basketball team just lost 89-75 to an up-and-coming Trojan basketball team which deserved every ounce of this win.

The Bruins on the other hand were sloppy, disorganized, slow and generally out of sync. There was absolutely no defense which did not help the offense that could not get in rhythm the entire game.

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The Bruins had gotten out to a 15-13 lead eight minutes into the game.  They were running with the Trojans and matching them basket for basket. Unfortunately, USC started to pull away win 12 minutes remaining in the half. USC went into halftime with a 48-30 lead.

From there it was tough man-to-man defense from the Trojans mixed with some hot shooting, specifically from Chimezie Metu, who finished with 21 points off the bench.

Jordan McLaughlin and Katin Reinhardt also added to the points party, chipping in 23 and 14 of their own, respectively.

As for the Bruins, there was only one player that came to play.

Tony Parker made a season-high 27 points and added 12 rebounds on 12-of-18 shooting (66.7%). The front court, generally, was fairly successful getting to the rim and scoring as Thomas Welsh added 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%).

Despite dominating down low, the Bruins often tried to shoot their way out of their slump, but was quite unsuccessful. Guards Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Aaron Holiday collectively shot 12-for-35 (34.3%).

One of the downsides to missing that many shots is that USC’s speed quickly put the ball in transition and often got a score from it.

UCLA had battled back in the second half as they widdled the Trojan’s 21 point lead down to 8 halfway through the second. Unfortunately, the Trojan’s hot hands kept them in control and was eventually able to get the win.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

As stated above, this is the worst home loss for the UCLA Basektball team at Pauley Pavilion in the Alford-era. This game exposed the Bruins and seemingly took away their indestructability at home. That is not good as they prepare for a trip to the Oregon schools where, also in the Alford-era, they have not gotten a road sweep.