Bruins gets revenge over Trojans in chippy Crosstown Rivary

Story by Nick Hamilton

USC's #20 J.T. Terrell. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

After a touching moment of silence for Lakers owner and Trojan alum Dr. Jerry Buss, the UCLA Bruins looked to avenge their Jan 30th overtime loss to their crosstown rivals known as the USC Trojans. The Bruins vindicated themselves and kept their school pride, as they destroyed the Trojans 75-59 on Sunday at Galen Center.

Even after the eight day layoff, the Bruins showed no signs of rust, as the propelled themselves to a quick 7-0 lead before the Trojans would call for time, and try to regroup.

The Trojans made poor choice with their shot selection, as they missed their first nine of eleven shots, while the Bruins made 80% of their shots on their way to a huge 47-26 halftime lead. The Bruins shot an amazing 58% from the field despite not having Travis Wear in the line up due to a severe foot injury.

In the second half the Trojans seems to try to muster up some fire as they opened up the half with a 7-0 run of their own. Bruins Tony Parker who a big force in the middle against Dewayne Dedmon, who played seventeen minutes, had eight points and three rebounds.

UCLA's#12 David Wear monster dunk during the game.
Photo by William Johnson.

Fighting for a loose ball, Norman Powell got tangled up with Omar Oraby, and the two had to be quickly separated by teammates. The result was a double technical foul on both players

The Trojans fought back tremendously and brought down the deficit to 11, but it was simply not enough. At about the eight minute mark of the game, things continue to remain chippy as Byron Wesley was called for a flagrant foul on Shabazz Muhammad.

The Bruins would finish just half a game out of first for the Pac-12 title with the victory. The Trojans would fall to 7-7 in the Pac-12 and 12-15 overall with the loss. in seventh place the Trojans will face Arizona on Wednesday and Arizona State on Saturday for their final meeting before the Pac-12 tournament.

Trojans Jio Fontan who fouled out finished with just 4 points, as J.T. Terrell who was lighting in a bottle for the Men of Troy finished with 17 points.

The Bruins finished with five players in double figures, as Jordan Adams led the way with 20 points, and David Wear finished with another double-double 10 points, 11 rebounds.

Coach Ben Howland was pleased with his team's effort especially in the second half. "In the first half we played tremendous. Really proud of Tony Parker's play, thought that was huge today. I love looking and seeing five guys in double figures." Howland went on to say, "When we've had that type of balance, that's when we've been our best team."

USC's #55 Omar Oraby. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

"We got down 7-0 right out of the gate and from that point it was tough to battle out of that," said USC coach Bob Cantu on UCLA setting an early tone.

UCLA guard Kyle Anderson also spoke about the chippyness of the game, "Larry Drew just did a great job of holding us all together. He made sure nobody did anything stupid or retaliated.... Thank God we have great leaders."

"We always want to be USC!" said Jordan Adams. "We're not really a catch-up team. We wanted to come out and throw the first punch against our rival."

USC's Dewayne Dedmon who loves to get up and down the court, was not a huge factor against the Bruins as he finished with only four points.

The Bruins who behind Oregon and Arizona as they race for first in Pac-12, will face Arizona State on Wednesday, follow by a huge Pac-12 showdown with top seed Arizona on Saturday evening. For more photos from this game go to www.tgsportstv.com, click on Photo Gallery 2 and scroll down UCLA @ USC. All photos are by William Johnson/T.G.Sports. 

The UCLA Bruins holds off USC Trojans 63-58

Story by Brett Shapoff

USC's #23 Markel Walker and UCLA's #14 Ariya Crook. Photo by Leon Bennett
T.G.Sports.

Before a big crowd of 8,327 Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion, the lady Bruins held off their cross-town rivals – the lady Trojans – 63-58, in what turned-out to be a very exciting game.

The Bruin withstood a fierce 18-4 run by coach Michael’s Cooper’s Trojans late in the 2^nd half, to hang-on and win their final home game of the season.

The Bruins were coasting along 47-32 with 8:59 remaining in the game, when USC mounted a strong come-back to close to within 51-50 with 3:06 left, then only to fall short (63-58) at the buzzer.

UCLA coach, Cori Close, said, “The game was such a mixed bag. Give credit to USC they played aggressively and put up a good fight. We have a lot of respect for them.”

UCLA's #33 Jasmine Dixon  USC's #11 Cassie Harberts
Photo by Leon Bennett/T.G.Sports.

The two teams played earlier in the week, at Galen Center, and the Bruins won handily, 68-54. But, Sunday afternoon’s contest, tightened-up by the end of the game, as the Bruins hung-on.

Although the Trojans have lost their last six out of eight against UCLA, coach, Michael Cooper, had this to say: "It's fun to play in big basketball games. Despite 19 losses we still have a lot of fire and spirit. We're playing the No. 17 team in the country and we have positives that came out of this game."

The Bruins had nine players who scored in the game, and they were led by Thea Lemberger’s 12 points, Nirra Fields’ 12 points, and Markel Walker’s 11 points. USC got big games from Cassie Harberts’ 22 points (and 11 rebounds), and Ariya Crook’s 16 points.

Both teams shot poorly from the floor. UCLA was 22-59 (37%) from the field, while USC was 20-57 (35%). The Bruins went 5-16 (31%) from the three-point line, and the Trojans 3-14 (21%) from beyond the arc.

UCLA's #21 Nirra Fields. Photo by Leon Benett/T.G.Sports.

The game had spurts of continuity and excitement; yet, at the same time, there were lulls and plenty of turn-overs by both teams. USC turned the ball-over 22 times, and the Bruins 18. It was a hard-fought contest, and neither team ever quit.

Each team collected 11 offensive rebounds and 31 defensive rebounds; a total of 42 rebounds each. Free-throw shooting was nearly identical, with the Trojans going 15-22 (68%) from the line, while the Bruins were 14-22(64%) from the charity stripe.

UCLA’s Kari Korver hit a huge three-pointer with 2:51 remaining in the game, which took the Bruins one-point lead (51-50) – after USC’s tremendous comeback - to a four-point cushion, and keeping UCLA from giving up their slim lead.

The Bruins closed-out the game by converting their free-throws when needed; thus, preserving victory in their final, regular season home game. The following Bruin seniors (Mariah Williams; Markel Walker; Alyssia Brewer; and, Jasmine Dixon) were honored in a pre-game ceremony for their final home game.

All in all, the game turned-out to be a nice swan-song for the Bruin seniors, as well as, the fans. For more photos from this game go to www.tgsportstv.com, click on Photo Gallery 2 and scroll down to USC @ UCLA. All photos are Leon Bennett/T.G.Sports.

Stanford reigns supreme over UCLA 68-57

Story by Nick Hamilton

UCLA's #23 Markel Walker defending 
Stanford's # 13 Chiney Ogwumike.

It was a physical showdown between #4 Stanford and the Lady Bruins of UCLA, despite their incredible effort, Stanford prevailed over the Bruins 68-57.

After coming off an intense battle with Cal just days before, the Bruins were up and ready for the challenge of the Pac-12's top team in Stanford on Sunday at Pauley Pavilion.

The Lady Bruins held their own and continued to battle in the first half, with Stanford gaining a slim 30-25 lead at halftime. In the second half Stanford led an 16-5 offensive onslaught over the Bruins, which was highlighted by Bonnie Samuelson's huge three pointer that increased the Cardinal lead 43-35. The Cardinal would maintain their lead by pounding the ball inside and better shot selection en route to a victory.

Coming into the game the Cardinal were tied atop the Pac-12 with the Cal Lady Bears. Stanford has also held opponent's under 70 points in the last 44 games of play.

The true dominate player in this despite the Bruins defending her well was Chiney Ogwumike who finished with 26 points and just 7 rebounds. The Bruins ended Ogwumike's streak of 20 double doubles.

Ogwumike's point of view on her and her team's performance, "These teams are tournament teams. I'm really excited that UCLA had a great game against us because it teaches us how to be able to win against an aggressive team that's physical and has a lot of weapons."

UCLA's Atonye Nyingifa finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds and Alyssia Brewer and star senior Markel Walker both finished with 10 points. Walker was one of the key factors of defense on Ogwumike at various points of the game.

Stanford's Joslyn Tinkle finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds, and Mikaela Ruef who had a terrific game finished with a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds.

UCLA coach Cori Close spoke highly of Stanford effort on the floor against her Bruins. "They have an awareness of not only who is on the floor but where all the weaknesses are. Their scouting is as in-depth as anybody in the country. Sometimes teams can't handle as much in-depth scouting, but they are relentless about it and focused on it."

As the Bruins regroup, and forget about the Cardinal loss, they focus their sights on crosstown rival USC at Galen Center on Tuesday night.

One thing coach Close the players assured me was that they have short memories, and that is exactly what it will take if they are going to reach the mountaintop and capture a Pac-12 title. 

Big first half for USC is key to 71-60 victory over Washington

Story by L.T.Willis

USC's #34 Eric Wise had a great night against Washington. Photo by William Johnson/
T.G.Sports.

The (6-5) USC Trojans game out the gate being very aggressive  against the (5-6) Washington Huskies in a Pac 12 showdown, which saw the Trojans in the first half dominate from the paint and the perimeter. Dewayne Dedmon, J.T. Terrell, Byron Wesley, Eric Wise and Omar Oraby were having there way as Jio Fontan running the offense set them up for easy layups and outside shooting.

In the first half  Omar Oraby was 4 for 5 from the floor with 9 points, Dewayne Dedmon was 3 for 4 with 6 points, J.T. Terrell was 4 for 8, 2 for 5 from 3 point range with 10 points, had the Huskies on their heels. The Huskies had no answer for the Trojans as they were down 35-16 with about 5 minutes left in the first half.

Washington's #40 Shawn Kemp Jr. Photo by
William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

Washington's #23 C.J. Wilcox. Photo by
William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

The score could have been a lot worst for the Huskies if not for C.J. Wilcox shooting 3 for 3, 2 for 2 from 3 point range with 8 points, Abdul Gaddy  4 for 6 from the floor with 8 points, Shawn Kemp Jr. 2 for 5 with 4 points and Aziz N'diaye with 5 points, the Huskies were lucky to be trailing the Trojans 40-29 at the end of the first half. The Huskies defense clamped down late in the first half, and with a couple of miss layups and put backs, could have been easily down  by 6 points or less.

In the second half  Trojans led the Huskies 45-35 with 17:36 when Jio Fontan picked up his fourth foul of the game, and had to come out of the game. Chass Bryan came in to replace him, and this is where you saw the young guard become a floor leader for the Trojans. Despite the run that the Huskies made at the Trojans with C.J.Wilcox dropping long range bombs, and Scott Suggs look like he was in a zone, it still wasn't enough.

USC's # 13 Chass Bryan. Photo by William Johnson/
T.G.Sports.

Chass Bryan stabilize the offense when the Huskies was making their run and hit 2 huge 3 point shots, and with the supporting cast of Eric Wise, J.T. Terrell and Aaron Fuller, The Trojans were keeping the Huskies at bay till Jio Fontan came back into the game to help lead them to victory with some clutch free throw shooting, and  a big steal  with seconds left in the game, USC went on to beat Washington 71-60.

Omar Oraby played great in the game , what puzzle me is why he didn't play more in the second half with only one foul, had some key block shots during the second half, and finish the night  4 for 5 with 9 points. The Huskies' Aziz N'Diaye struggle from the floor shooting 4 for 10 was a key factor why the Huskies couldn't close the gap, yet finish with 12 rebounds.

USC's #20 J.T. Terrell . Photo by William Johnson/
T.G.Sports.

After the game I ask T.J. Terrell it seems like your team mates and you are having fun playing now. "We are having a lot of fun know with freedom to create on offense, and no restraints on offense, and everyone is held accountable for the actions and play on the court every night since coach Cantu has taken over the team, " said J.T.Terrell. Terrell finish with 18 points, Eric Wise 12 points 8 rebounds Omar Oraby 9 points with 9 rebounds and Jio Fontan 7points and 6 assist.

The Huskies Scott Suggs finish the night with 16 points, Abdul Gaddy 12 points, Aziz N'Diaye 10 points with 12 rebounds and C.J.Wilcox 8 points and 7 rebounds. The Trojans have another big game at home against UCLA on Feb 24 which could be big for both teams. For more photos of this game go to www.tgsportstv.com, click on Photo Gallery 2 and scroll down to Washington @ USC. All photos were by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.