USC Trojans Overpower Bruins in Double Overtime for a Semifinal Victory
The USC Trojans, ranked 5th, emerged victorious against the 7th-ranked UCLA Bruins with a final score of 80-70. The game saw the Trojans improve their record to an impressive tally while the Bruins' record took a hit. The match extended into double overtime before reaching its conclusion.
From the opening quarter, the USC Trojans set a strong pace with 24 points against UCLA's 8, showcasing their offensive capabilities early on. Although the second quarter saw a more formidable response from UCLA with 23 points to USC's 13, it was not enough to deter the momentum of the home team. The third and fourth quarters were closely contested as both teams added another combined total of 22 points each to their scoresheets.
The statistics reveal that defense played a crucial role in this encounter. The Trojans outshone with eight blocks compared to four by UCLA and also recorded ten steals which contributed significantly to their transition play. Their defensive prowess was further highlighted by securing more rebounds than their opponents, grabbing an impressive total of 56 rebounds over UCLA's total of 54.
Offensively, both teams struggled from beyond the arc; however, it was at the free-throw line where USC made substantial gains. They capitalized on these opportunities by converting at an efficient rate of eighty-one percent from charity stripe compared to eighty-eight percent for UCLA – although they had fewer attempts.
The Trojan’s ability to maintain possession and capitalize on turnovers was evident as they scored sixteen points off turnovers while only giving up fourteen themselves. This careful ball handling resulted in only ten turnovers for USC throughout this exhaustive match-up.
As fans look ahead, they can mark their calendars for when USC will take on Stanford Cardinal at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 10th at approximately nine o'clock Eastern Time (ET). This upcoming game promises another exciting chapter for Trojan supporters and will be broadcasted live on ESPN network channels for fans who wish to follow every play.