LOS ANGELES — The No. 8 UCLA Bruins entered the Galen Center last night with the expectation of leaving with another win against the Trojans. Instead, 9,605 people witnessed them leave with a Trojan farewell and a defeat.
USC senior guard and captain Boogie Ellis poured in a career-high 31 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds as the USC men’s basketball team sent the Bruins back to Westwood with a 77-64 loss. The intensity between the two schools is no secret as the two teams compete throughout the year, and with each encounter, the tension between the schools builds more intensely than the last.
The SoCal sports icons have a combative history dating back to the 1940s. The rivalry began as a simple allegiance to each respected school but quickly escalated to planning pranks to commit to each other’s respective campuses. Over the years, supporters stole pet mascots, splattered paint on revered campus statues and even caught pranksters in the act to capture and send a message back to the other school. Therefore, whenever the Trojans face the Bruins, it is an all-out war between the two Los Angeles schools.
Three weeks ago, the UCLA men’s basketball team squeezed out a tightly contested win against USC, winning 60-58. However, the heartbreaking loss only fueled the fire inside the Trojans. In their second match, the men of Troy claimed revenge by doing what they do best — fighting on.
“Every single Boogie shot was electric,” USC junior Holden Raffin said. “Boogie didn’t even have the best start but then put the team up on his shoulders so he had the fight on spirit.”
Fifth-year guard and captain Drew Peterson rounded out the game with 16 points. Although they trailed at halftime 37-25, USC’s defense remained relentless against the Bruins, resulting in 13 second-half UCLA turnovers.
Although the team is unranked, many pundits and prognosticators picked UCLA to win.
“Everyone was going in thinking USC wouldn’t win being unranked, I was in the student section so people were storming the court being [that it was] a big win.” USC sophomore Aleena Amran said. “The first half UCLA was leading, so the second half was a turning moment and everyone saw it.”
Following last night’s win over the Bruins, the Trojan spirit is at an all-time high. Suppose USC can ride the euphoria of this win and parlay that into another victory next weekend against Washington State on Feb. 2. In that case, it may give the selection committee the fodder needed to put the men of Troy into the national championship tournament.