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On Saturday night, the UCLA men’s basketball team showed why it has become a lock for the NCAA tournament and its crosstown rival USC is all but out of contention.
Led by a dominant 25-point, seven-assist performance from star guard Donovan Dent, the Bruins dismantled the Trojans 89-68 at Galen Center, pushing both teams further down the paths they have been on the past two weeks. Dent’s 25 points tied for his second most this season.
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With the win, UCLA secured the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten tournament and a corresponding bye through the first two rounds.
Read more: UCLA beats Ohio State, extends win streak to 24 and reaches Big Ten tournament title game
A few weeks ago, both teams were sitting in the bubble. UCLA (21-10, 13-7) has been hot, pulling down wins against ranked opponents Illinois and Nebraska, while USC (18-13, 7-13 Big Ten) went on a seven-game slide, including losses to the Huskers and Illini and two more to the Bruins.
Now, both teams head to the Big Ten tournament with opposite momentum and very different stakes, though any number of wins for UCLA can’t hurt its seeding come Selection Sunday.
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Early on, Saturday’s contest looked like it would be a much closer affair. USC, without top scorer Chad Baker-Mazara, who was dismissed last week, tied the score six times before UCLA took control with a 13-1 run midway through the first half.
UCLA guard Donovan Dent drives to the basket in front of USC guard Kam Woods during the second half Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau was especially important during UCLA’s early run, scoring all 16 of his points on 70% shooting from the field in the first half. He added eight rebounds.
The Bruins dominated inside and on the perimeter, outrebounding USC 37-26 and shooting a combined 53% from three-point range. UCLA’s bread and butter on Saturday, though, were the many contested mid-range jump shots, which were made at an impressive clip, especially by…
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Publish date : 2026-03-08 04:57:00
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