In Los Angeles, Eric Dailey Jr. delivered an impressive personal best, scoring 25 points as UCLA trounced Southern California 90-63 in their final regular-season game. This comprehensive victory marked the first time the Bruins had swept the Trojans since the 2017-18 season.
Skyy Clark contributed a notable 17 points accompanied by six assists, while Aday Mara added 14 points for the Bruins, who concluded their season with a strong 22-9 overall record and a 13-7 mark in the Big Ten. Notably, they finished 15-2 at their home ground, Pauley Pavilion.
The Trojans were spearheaded by Wesley Yates III, who recorded 21 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Desmond Claude supported with 15 points. However, USC struggled with ball control, committing 20 turnovers that UCLA converted into 37 points, which highlighted their difficulties.
USC’s loss was significant as only 15 out of the 18 Big Ten teams progress to the league tournament. This defeat eliminated their chance to guarantee their spot. On the other hand, UCLA secured a bye in next week’s Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis and earned a return to the NCAA Tournament after missing the previous year.
A pivotal moment came when the Trojans managed to close the gap to within five points late in the first half. However, the Bruins responded by launching a decisive 24-7 run bridging the first and second halves, establishing a 52-32 lead. During this crucial stretch, Dailey added eight points and Clark contributed six.
UCLA’s dominance was evident as they controlled the paint with a 42-16 advantage and outperformed USC’s bench, contributing 32-18 in favor of the Bruins’ reserves.
Looking ahead, the Trojans will await the outcome of their postseason journey. Meanwhile, the Bruins are gearing up for their debut in the Big Ten tournament next week.
