USC Upsets UCLA in Westwood

Despite blowing a 15-point lead, committing 17 turnovers and being whistled for 19 fouls, USC men's basketball managed to hang on for a thrilling 75-71 overtime win over UCLA in Westwood on Wednesday.

"It's history to come in here and come out with the victory in our first time at the new buidling," said USC point guard Jio Fontan.

Fontan and Aaron Fuller led the Trojans with 15 points each, Fontan despite being in foul trouble for much of the game. Five players finished in double figures for the Trojans; Fontan, Fuller, Eric Wise (12), Byron Westly (10) and J.T. Turrell (10).

But it was Ari Stewart who made the biggest play of the game, nailing both ends of a one-and-one with 11 seconds left to go in overtime and USC up just one point.

Bruin star Shabazz Muhammad's game-tying three point attempt was long, and Fontan likewise nailed two free throws to ice the game for USC.

"It's a big win," said USC center Dewayne Dedmon. "This should get our wheels rolling."

The Bruins held the early lead, up 21-15 with eight minutes to go in the first half. But USC went on a critical 10-0 run to take a four-point lead. The Trojans led by as many as 11 in the first half, and went into the break up 38-30. With 13-and-a-half to go a Fontan jumper put USC up 52-37.

But UCLA came roaring back. Bruin star Shabazz Muhammad nailed a three on the next possesion, and within five minutes UCLA had cut the lead seven. With four minutes to go it was a four point game, courtesy of another three from Muhammad. The freshman standout finished with a game-high 22 points.

The Bruins tied the game at 65 with 24 ticks left when USC failed to covert a second-chance opportunity, a theme for the Trojans throughout the Bruins' comeback. USC had a chance to win the game, but Stewart missed a jumper, then committed an offensive foul to send the game to overtime.

The win is a huge boost for a team that struggled through a brutal nonconference schedule and a rough start to conference play. Since firing Kevin O'Neill, the Trojans are 2-3 under interim head coach Bob Cantu, who is earning himself serious consideration to have the "interim" tag removed at the end of the season. Two of those loses came by a combined seven points, and the team has played significantly more inspired basketball under coach Cantu.

The Trojans return to Galen next Thursday to host Washington State, then Washington the following Sunday.