Loss to UCLA Worst at Home in 25 Years

How bad was USC’s 98-80 loss to UCLA on Wednesday night?

It was the Trojans’ worst home loss to the Bruins in 25 years. They had more turnovers than assists, 16-11, and made only 32.9% of their shots, their second-worst offensive performance of the season.

“We missed some point-blank shots,” Coach Henry Bibby said.

Just as important, the team struggled on defense as UCLA ended its recent shooting slump by making 53.6% of its shots, 62.5% from three-point range. UCLA center Dan Gadzuric scored a career-high 16 points. Guard Earl Watson had a season-high eight assists.

California had a similar breakthrough performance against USC.

“What broke us down again was that we let people shoot the ball open,” Bibby said.

A discouraged Brian Scalabrine echoed that thought: “It’s not like teams are thinking ‘Oh, we have to get up for USC.’ We have to contest shots. We have to get hands in peoples’ faces.”

After a 10-2 start, the Trojans see their hopes for a postseason berth, even an NIT bid, quickly slipping out of sight. They face the unenviable task of trying to bounce back with seven of their next 11 games on the road.

Coming up: Thursday at Washington, Jan. 30 at Washington State.