USC Basketball: UCLA Spoils Trojans Star's Return At Home

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The USC Trojans saw their five-game home winning streak against the pesky UCLA Bruins come to a skidding stop in a 65-50 loss on Saturday night at the Galen Center.
All-Pac-12 Trojans guard Boogie Ellis made his return to the starting lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury and was held to eight points, his second-lowest point total of the season. All eight points came in the first half.
Guard Oziya Sellers was the leading scorer for the Trojans with 10 points and big man Joshua Morgan had a team-high five rebounds.
Final. pic.twitter.com/2Xbarujofh
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 28, 2024
In front of a star-studded crowd that included Scottie Pippen and Mark Sanchez, the Trojans struggled to find their rhythm.
Great to have @uscfb legend @Mark_Sanchez at Galen Center today! pic.twitter.com/r8Ozn3B4fh
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 28, 2024
Basketball royalty in the building.
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 28, 2024
Welcome to Galen Center, Scottie Pippen! pic.twitter.com/8oHAUHREQN
USC was 9-for-21 from the field in the first half and saw UCLA go on a 17-2 run leading up to halftime.
Sellers hit his first three of the night in the second half but USC struggled to climb back into the game.
First triple of the night from @OziyahSellers!
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 28, 2024
📺: ESPN2
📱: https://t.co/cGFArRkDBb pic.twitter.com/JFIDKhmGLU
The Trojans were held to four second-chance points in the second half. This putback dunk by Morgan was the last true highlight for the home team.
JOSHUA MORGAN PUTBACK JAM‼️
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 28, 2024
📺: ESPN2
📱: https://t.co/cGFArRkDBb pic.twitter.com/eshcMPVtNN
The Trojans, now 8-12 on the year, will remain at Galen Center next weekend, with home contests against Oregon on Thursday and Oregon State on Saturday.

Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been a sports writer since 2008. Despite being raised in the South, her sports obsession has always been in Los Angeles. She is currently a staff writer for the LA Sports Report Network.