Victory a Long Time Coming for Turner

It’s a good thing the Trojans don’t resume Pacific 10 Conference play until next Thursday, because they want to savor their first victory in five years over rival UCLA.

“To finally get this [10-game losing streak] off our backs is huge,” said Jeff Trepagnier, whose career-high 26 points were integral to USC’s 91-79 victory.

“They walk around town and don’t think anything of us, don’t give us any respect. So now they have to look at us in different way.”

Of all the players, the win probably meant the most to Jarvis Turner, the team’s lone senior.

“Until tonight, I hadn’t beaten those guys since I’ve been here and that’s four years,” said Turner Wednesday after getting three points, a rebound, a block and an assist in 13 minutes off the bench. “College basketball is about the progression of life. Our team is maturing. [Wednesday] you never saw our defense let up. We keep fighting, keep scrapping. This game was about playing hard and smart for 40 minutes.”

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The 91 points tied for the most USC has ever scored in beating UCLA. In 1960, the Trojans beat the Bruins, 91-71. And the 12-point margin of victory was USC’s widest since a 79-64 victory in 1986.