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UCLA Basketball: UCLA bRuins USC’s Night in 32-Point Win

By Mike Regalado

February 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) reacts after guard Bryce Alford (20) scores a three point basket against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) reacts after guard Bryce Alford (20) scores a three point basket against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team got their revenge on crosstown rival USC in a 32-point rout, blowing out the Trojans in a 102-70 victory.

It seems as though the UCLA Basketball team remembered exactly what happened in their last meeting with USC three weeks ago when the Trojans beat the Bruins 84-76.

Not only was it UCLA’s third loss of the season but also their fourth loss in a row to USC. That was put to a halt early in tonight’s contest.

Despite USC keeping up for a whole five minutes, the Bruins were able to chop up and run through the Trojans with ease, a different scenario from their last meeting.

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Not only was it an offensive assault with five Bruins scoring in double figures with Bryce Alford leading the way with 26, but UCLA continued to focus on defense which limited USC to 33.8% shooting on the night.

Honestly, it was a bloodbath. USC had no answer for UCLA. By the end the night, the Bruins were so unstoppable that they were pulling out Harlem Globetrotter-esque plays close to the final buzzer. A little salt in the wounds for UCLA Basketball’s second biggest rival.

The Bruins were not going to let USC get their fifth win in a row over them, though it seemed by the end of the game, UCLA was not going to let the Trojans forget about what happened this night in Pauley Pavilion during a “Blue Out”..

From halfway through the first half, UCLA was in complete control, keeping a double-digit lead for most of the game. It was not until midway through the second half that they really started to pull away. From hitting every big shot from the outside to making fabulous plays at the rim, USC just could not compete with UCLA.

Thomas Welsh once again came alive and got another double-double on the year with 16 points and 16 rebounds. TJ Leaf also helped down low with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Lonzo Ball and Isaac Hamilton chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively. UCLA collectively shot 53.8% from the field.

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Though this is a huge win, the Bruins are still 2.5 games behind conference leading Arizona who beat Washington in a close game up in Seattle earlier this evening. UCLA and Arizona meet next weekend as the Bruins head off for their final road trip of the season, followed by a two-game home stand against the Washington schools.