USC Basketball: How Trojans Fought Fire With Fire Against UCLA

Some intriguing signs with regard to the Trojans' Pac-12 Tournament chances?

The high scorer of your USC Trojans' surprise 62-56 victory over their crosstown nemesis UCLA Bruins, fifth-year senior point guard Boogie Ellis (who had 24 points and five rebounds), spoke at length postgame today about a key play between Bruins high scorer Adem Bona (who chipped in 14 points of his own) and his USC counterpart Arrinten Page. Bona and Page were both assessed techs after fighting for a rebound early on, and the moment helped establish the "tone" for the ensuing evening on the USC side of the equation.

Luca Evans of The Orange County Register reports that Ellis believes the club was clearly ready to meet the moment, as evinced in that showdown.

Boogie Ellis said postgame that play where UCLA’s Adem Bona pulled Arrinten Page down on a rebound — followed by double-techs — “set the tone” for USC’s mentality in win.

“That’s how we like to play. He established that he’s gonna be there, and not let him get that rebound.” pic.twitter.com/Pwlwi6M4aY

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) February 25, 2024

“That’s how we like to play," Ellis said. "He established that he’s gonna be there, and not let him get that rebound... We did a good job of rebounding."

The Trojans recorded a solid 29 rebounds, actually a shade fewer than the Bruins' 34 boards, but it was a bit more than normal, and more than enough to help them secure the W. It didn't hurt that USC also enjoyed massive advantages over UCLA in overall field goal shooting (44% to 33.3%) and three-point shooting (44.4% to 21.1%).