LOS ANGELES — In a thrilling match on Monday night, UCLA secured a victory over Southern California with a score of 82-76. Eric Dailey Jr. led the Bruins with 16 points, while Sebastian Mack contributed 14 points off the bench. Aday Mara showcased his skills defensively, blocking five shots and achieving a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

UCLA established the lead within the first three minutes of the game, maintaining control without ever relinquishing it. The Trojans faced a significant deficit as they entered the second half, but they fought back and created opportunities to take the lead. However, a critical moment came when USC missed three out of four free throw attempts. Wesley Yates III narrowed the gap to just a point, hitting one of two foul shots with 1:54 remaining on the clock. This set the stage for a tense finish, with Saint Thomas having two chances to put USC ahead but coming up short.

In a clutch moment, Mack sank a 3-pointer just as the shot clock expired and followed it up with two successful free throws, keying the Bruins’ victory. Dailey also made significant contributions, pulling down six rebounds for UCLA, which improved to 15-6 overall and 6-4 in the Big Ten Conference. The Bruins are now on a four-game winning streak following a previous stretch of four losses. Dylan Andrews also had a solid performance with 12 points and six assists, while Aday Mara recorded his first double-double of the season.

On the other side, Rashaun Agee was the standout for the Trojans, scoring 21 points off the bench with an effective 8-for-12 shooting performance. Yates also made an impact with 19 points, including four 3-pointers, and Thomas contributed 13 points, eight boards, and six assists. Desmond Claude added 12 points and six assists in a well-rounded effort from the team.

UCLA played the game without their leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau, who averages 13.9 points per game. Bilodeau sustained an ankle injury just three minutes into the previous game, a 65-60 win against the Washington Huskies.

Looking ahead, UCLA is set to host No. 16 Oregon on Thursday as part of a home stand, while USC is preparing to face No. 7 Michigan State on Saturday.