Close game could bring a sequel of ‘Hack a Lo’

UCLA Coach Ben Howland called it “Hack a Lo.”

It was a strategy USC used in the final seconds of UCLA’s come-from-behind 64-63 victory over the Trojans at the Galen Center last year, when Arron Afflalo made a game winner with four seconds left.

UCLA swept the Trojans last year but USC led for over 60 of the 80 minutes.

In trying to keep UCLA at bay in those final frantic seconds, USC Coach Tim Floyd directed his players to foul UCLA big men Lorenzo Mata-Real and Alfred Aboya.

“I didn’t realize it at first,” Mata-Real said this week. “But Alfred did. He just kept running around so they couldn’t catch him.”

Mata-Real missed three of his five free throws, including a pair with 36 seconds left when UCLA was up, 63-60. “I felt confident with them,” Mata-Real said then. “They just didn’t fall.”

At least the Bruins won.

“That’s all that matters,” Mata-Real said. “When Arron hit that game-winner, if you see the video of me on the sideline, I was so relieved. I thanked Arron then. I thank him now. I wasn’t a good foul shooter back then. I am a good foul shooter now.”

With 36 seconds left, Mata-Real was fouled. It was USC’s 10th foul so Mata-Real got two shots. He missed them badly. The Trojans’ Nick Young then made a three-point basket and was fouled by Darren Collison. Young made his foul shot and USC led, 64-63, with 22 seconds to play.

Then came Afflalo’s heroics.

“Tim Floyd is a smart coach and he’s going to try and do whatever it takes to win a game,” Collison said. “It should be real fun and interesting to see what they are going to bring at us Saturday.”

Despite Mata-Real’s free-throw confidence, he has made only 12 of 23 (52.2%) from the foul line this season.

Last year Mata-Real shot 37.2% from the line.

Aboya has made 11 of 20 (55%) free throws.

Howland said forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, expected to be part of the defensive rotation against USC star freshman O.J. Mayo, missed practice Thursday because of a pulled groin muscle.

Mbah a Moute was injured in practice Monday but didn’t mention it to trainer Carrie Rubertino until Wednesday. He is expected to play against USC.

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diane.pucin@latimes.com