Seniors lead USC to a 62-56 win over Washington

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February 13, 2020

5Q7A5306 — USC men's basketball game at Galen Center on February 13, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Lovell)

Los Angeles, CA – USC snapped a three-game losing streak with a 62-56 win over Washington Thursday night at the Galen Center. Two seniors led the way for the Trojans as Nick Rakocevic scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Jonah Mathews finished with 16 points, including four three-pointers.

Washington vs USC men’s basketball game at Galen Center on February 13, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Lovell)

“It was a great win for us,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “We really battle. We were a little inconsistent in the first half. It was a rough week. We had 8 guys show up tonight and compete. Other guys stepped up, our team rallied around that.”

The Trojans took an early 16-13 lead on Max Agbonkpolo three-pointer but the Huskies used a 7-0 run to take a 20-16 lead in the first half. Washington made 43.3 percent of its first-half shots and with the help of a 10-3 run, the Huskies went into halftime with a 30-25 lead.

“We knew at halftime that we were going to have to win on the defensive end,” Enfield said. “The game is slower when you play Washington because they play zone. We had to manage our possessions.”

USC scored the first nine points of the second half to take a 34-30 lead and turned up the intensity on defense. The Trojans held Washington scoreless during a seven-minute stretch while going on a 16-4 run.

“It was all about patience,” Rakocevic said. “The first time we played them, I sped up, turned the ball over and didn’t take good shots. Today I played better. It was a good team win tonight. My teammates were looking for me in the paint.”

A game after committing 24 turnovers at Arizona State last Saturday, USC had a season-low six turnovers tonight.

Former USC Trojan DeMar DeRozan had his No. 10 jersey retired at halftime. DeRozan is a four-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medal-winning guard who played at USC during the 2008-09 season, averaging 13.9 points as a freshman. He led USC to the 2009 Pac-10 title, scoring 25 points in the championship game against James Harden and ASU. DeRozan was named Pac-10 Tournament MVP. He played 9 seasons with Toronto and his last two for San Antonio, where he is averaging 23.0 points per game this season.

“Anytime DeMar DeRozan comes back, it’s a special moment,” Rakocevic said.” He’s a real cool dude.”

The Trojans are back in action Saturday when they host Washington State.USC defeated the Cougars in their first meeting on Jan.2.

Kansas City Chiefs Win Super Bowl LIV

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Christopher Floch

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February 2, 2020

NFL 2018: Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Rams SEP 23 — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 back to pass at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on November 19, 2018. Jevone Moore

MAMI, FL – Trailing in the 4th quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs scored 21 unanswered points to capture Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20 on Sunday, February 2nd. It’s Kansas City’s second Super Bowl victory, the first for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.

“We never lost faith, found a way to get it done late,” said quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

At the tender age 22 warm Mahomes becomes the youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl and MVP. Despite throwing two second half interceptions, he finished strong going 26 of 42 for 286 yards. It has been fifty years since Kansas City last Super Bowl victory.

The Chiefs 21 point onslaught took little over five minutes.

San Francisco jumped out to a 20-10 lead in the third quarter.

With 2:44 left in Super Bowl LIV, Mahomes threw a 5-yard screen pass to Damien Williams for the go ahead score.

Red and yellow confetti fell down on Hard Rock Stadium, an incredible conclusion to the NFL’s 100th season.

Carlisle Earns 500th Win in Mavericks Victory

By

Ariawna Talton

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February 1, 2020

JalenBrunson — Jalen Brunson shoots a jumper. Photo by Ariawna Talton

Dallas, TX – Rick Carlisle earned his 500^th victory as coach of the Dallas Mavericks while his team defeated the Atlanta Hawks 123-100 Saturday night. The win is also Dallas’ 30^th victory of the season.

Without an injured Luka Doncic or a resting Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas was still able to dominate a struggling Atlanta team throughout the night.

Jalen Brunson led all Mavericks players with 27 points, four rebounds and eight assists, scoring all around the court. Dorian Finney-Smith added 22 important points and Seth Curry scored on five of his seven three point attempts for 15 points.

Returning to Dallas for the final time before retiring from the league, former Dallas player Vince Carter provided a 10-point spark off of the bench for the Hawks. After spending three of his 22 NBA seasons in Dallas, Carter was both greeted and bid farewell with a standing ovation by the Dallas crowd.

Trae Young had a quiet 12 points for the Hawks, spending much of the second half on the bench once the game was decided. John Collins led all Atlanta players with 26 points in his 33 minutes on the court Saturday night. Dallas is set to play the Pacers in Indiana Monday night

Trojans Get Win and Honor Kobe

By

Darrel Wilson

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January 30, 2020

IMGL1043-Edit — Pepperdine Waves vs USC Trojans PAC-12 Basketball game on Tuesday November 19, 2019 at the Galen Center. (Photo by Jerry Kelly)

LOS ANGELES, CA — The USC Trojans paid homage to the late great Kobe Bryant the best way anyone can… by getting a win. Big O, Onyeka Okongwu, comes up Big on D to help the Trojans escape with a 56-52 victory over the Utah Utes Thursday night.

In game that was controlled by the Utes for the most part, the Trojans relied on their Pac-12 leading defense to keep them in the contest, holding the visitors to 32 percent shooting for the game and hoping the offense can make plays.

“When you can’t score yourself, you better defend,” said Trojans coach Andy Enfield. “We’ve done that and I’m very proud of our young men for staying in the game and defending it for 40 minutes.”

The defense was especially crucial in the last meaningful possession. With the Trojans holding a slim 2-point lead, the Utes’ Timmy Allen drove the lane for a layup but was met with an incredible block by Big O to force a jump ball. With the arrow in their favor, the Trojans gained possession with 6.0 left on the clock.

As good as the defense was, you can’t win without scoring baskets. Down by nine points midway through the second half, the Trojans marched on a 15 -2 run to take its first lead of the game. Sophomore guard Elijah Weaver called on the Mamba Mentality as he scored 10 of those points.

“I was just being aggressive,” said Weaver. “I think that’s my new role. People have been talking about coming off the bench and bringing energy. That’s all it was, energy and confidence.”

Both teams donned number 24 with Bryant on the back of their warm-up shirts to honor the late Lakers legend. USC had the words “Fight On Forever” above number 8 on the front side. Prior to the singing of the National Anthem, the Galen Center crowd stood for a moment of silence as 24.8 seconds ticked off the clock.

“We’re at home and today is a special day, we’re playing for Kobe,” said Weaver. “So it was like ‘We’re not losing at home,’ it was in our mind already. Let everybody know we’ve been here before and it’s time to fight back.

Trojans got off to a cold shooting start as they only made 2 of its first 16 shots from the field and were down 16-6 midway through the first half.

They continued to fight on and went on a hot run of shooting where they made 5 of 6 shots and trimmed the deficit to three at 21-18. The visiting Utes held a 29-23 lead at halftime, led by Riley Battin’s eight points, including two from behind the three-point arc. Nick Rakocevic kept the Trojans in the game with 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting.

The game was played dead even through the first 10 minutes of the second half, as both teams scored 11 points on 4 of 14 shooting at one point. Then the Trojans ratcheted up its defensive pressure, forcing five straight misses and a turnover over the next four minutes of play.

Utes baskets by Branden Carslon and Timmy Allen drew the game even at 46 a piece at the 4-minute timeout to set the stage for the showdown at the end. The teams went tit for tat on the scoreboard and were still tied when Carlson went to the free throw line and missed both freebies with 42 seconds on the clock.

Big O caught a pass on the left block, took a hard dribble to the right side for a layup that bounced off the rim. Luckily, by his own recollection, the ball bounced right to Rakocevic for an easy put back to secure the game-winning points. Big O was fouled with six seconds and iced the game by making both free throws.

Rakocevic led the Trojans with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Okongwu also had a double double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. Weaver finished with 14 points.

USC is now 17-4 on the season, 6-2 in Pac-12 play. The face the number 20 ranked Colorado Buffaloes, who just lost to UCLA.

Kobe Bryant Dies In Helicopter Crash

By

Christopher Floch

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January 28, 2020

WNBA: Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks June 18, 2017 — Kobe Bryant spent part of his Father's Day watch WNBA at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on June 18, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

LOS ANGELES, CA- Profound tragedy strikes as NBA icon Kobe Bryant is one of nine victims including his 13-year old daughter Gianna perished in a devastating helicopter crash in Calabasas on the morning of January, 26. The doomed helicopter was in route to one of Gigi’s games at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a youth basketball game.

Words fail to explain and comprehend how the beloved Kobe truly was in The City of Angels – his magnitude transcends the world of sports. Who else has two numbers retired? Both his #8 and #24 jerseys hang in the rafters at Staples Center. Thousands of grief stricken fans stunned by the news made makeshift tributes adorned with flowers, jerseys and heartfelt ‘M-V-P’ chants in honor of the NBA superstar.

NBA Basketball game action between the Boston Celtics vs the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on April 3, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360) — Kobe Bryant during last game vs Boston at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, Ca on April 3rd, 2016. (All Photos by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360 / fi360 News)

Bryant, 41, played his entire twenty year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA Titles. Here is a brief list of his accolades: 18 time All-Star, 11 time All NBA First Team, NBA MVP in 2008, NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010. He is the fourth leading scorer in NBA history, as well as a two time Gold Medal winner in 2008 and 2012.

Other victims include John Altobelli, the head baseball coach at Orange Coast College, his wife Keri and their daughter Alysa. Also on board was 13-year old basketball player Payton Chester, her mother Sarah, youth coach Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan was also killed.

The Sikorsky S-76B was given permission to take off despite foggy conditions, crashing in a remote field off Las Virgenes before 10:00am, the investigation is ongoing.

The 62nd Grammy Awards, which were held at Staples Center paid tribute to the fallen hero. Grammy host Alicia Keys, proclaimed Staples Center, “The house Kobe Bryant Built.” After Boys II Men joined Keys on stage to sing their moving, ‘It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye’ to open the show. Lizzo declared, “This night is for Kobe,” before singing ‘Cuz I Love You.’

The crash came the night after LeBron James passed him for 3rd on the All Time scoring list in his hometown of Philadelphia. A video surfaced of James getting off the team plane in tears.

Bryant’s teammate Shaquille O’Neal, who won three straight NBA Championships wrote, There are no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of losing my niece Gigi & my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie. I love you and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. I’M SICK RIGHT NOW !!”

Kobe Bryant and GiGi at Staples WNBA All Star Game 2019. Photo by William Johnson

This week marks the fourteenth anniversary of his 81 point performance against the Toronto Raptors, the second most points in an NBA game. Bryant was drafted 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft. In his final game in 2016, he scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz.

Kobe Bryant’s legend far surpasses the court, his fierce competitive drive served as life lessons. In 2018, he won an Academy Award for his animated short, “Dear Basketball.” Kobe was apart of the fabric of the nation. Bryant also championed women’s sports.

A conversation with Kobe Bryant about his career. Photo by Nyema Vernon-Jackson

Everyone’s first reaction was disbelief. Not possible; someone who conquered any obstacle life presented. Compounding this unspeakable tragedy is the loss of his daughter Gianna. Bryant was an excellent father, Gigi dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. Explaining to Jimmy Kimmel, “The best thing that happens is when we go out, and fans will come up to me. And she’ll be standing next to me, and they will be like, ‘You gotta have a boy, you and V gotta have a boy, man, to have somebody carry on the tradition, the legacy.’ And she is like, “I got this.”

We will never see the next chapter in his incredible life.

Kobe Bryant 1978-2020

Clippers Outlast Mavericks in Dallas

By

Ariawna Talton

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January 21, 2020

0 DSC_7095001 — Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard looking to score during the Dallas Mavs. (Courtesy photo Nick White)

Dallas, TX – Tuesday evening began with a huge welcome back for Kristaps Porzingis after missing the last ten games. The evening, however, concluded with Dallas losing center Dwight Powell for the season along with a 110-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

With just a few minutes remaining in the first quarter, Powell made a move to the basket. His right leg made a noticeable pop and he fell to the hardwood in agony. The 28 year-old critical role player was assisted off of the court and it was later revealed that he suffered a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon.

While visibly upset by the injury, the remaining Mavericks players would rally against a Clippers team competing without the injured Paul George.

Both Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic finished the night with 36 points for their respective teams. Doncic was actually one assist short of another triple-double. After the injury to Powell, Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle moved Porzingis to the center position. He finished the night with 10 points and nine rebounds in his first game back.

After the lost, Dallas is now 27-16 for the season. The team is set to face Portland Thursday night with its new lineup adjustments.

Lakers Frustrate Mavericks in Another Road Win

By

Ariawna Talton

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January 10, 2020

Dallas, TX – Neither Luka Doncic nor the Dallas Mavericks could ever get on a real roll Friday night in a 129-114 losing effort against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Shots weren’t falling, free throws were off and tempers definitely flared as the Mavericks lost their second consecutive game at home.

James, who appeared to not be feeling well early in the game didn’t let that stop him from logging 35 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists. While the Lakers were without Anthony Davis, a 26-point performance from Kyle Kuzma and 10 points from each Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard filled the gap.

The Mavericks were once again without Kristaps Porzingis, who is still sidelined with right knee soreness. The attention was definitely on Doncic and the expectation was that he would have a brilliant night scoring. That was simply not the case. After one of his missed free throws in the first half, a frustrated Doncic ripped his own jersey.

There were indeed questionable calls throughout the night – many in favor of Los Angeles; however, Dallas just did not score consistently. After two technical fouls, a frustrated Coach Rick Carlisle was ejected from the game.

Doncic did finish the night with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but never really found his offensive rhythm. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points and big man Boban Marjanovic added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

With the win Los Angeles improves to 31 – 7 and remains atop the Western Conference. The Mavericks fall to 23-15 and are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday evening.

Tulane claims the bell over Southern Miss in Armed Forces Bowl

By

Alex Plinck

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January 4, 2020

On Saturday, the “Battle of the Bell” rivalry revived during the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl when Southern Miss and Tulane hit the field. The rivalry initiated in 1979 as both programs met every season for the first twenty-seven straight years. The schools are separated by a little more than 100 miles apart; therefore, it’s an intense and local rivalry that the fans enjoy.

However, due to conference realignment, Saturday’s game became the first meeting in over nine years for the two schools. Southern Miss Head coach Jay Hopson talked before the game about the rivalry between the two programs. “I had my first job at Tulane, and the two schools are right next to each other. It has always been a fun game for the fans. Local games are fun.” The Golden Eagles came into Saturday, winning six consecutive games against the Green Wave. However, it was the Tulane Green Wave that broke the string and eventually rang the bell by defeating Southern Miss 30-13 in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl.

As the clock hit five and a half minutes in the first quarter, Southern Miss quarterback Jack Abraham ran it outside to the end zone to put the Golden Eagles up 13-0. It was at that point; Southern Miss outgained Tulane 164-5 with Abraham throwing for 142 yards, and the Green Wave crowd became silent. However, Tulane started to gain momentum slowly with a couple of field goals in the second quarter, cutting the Golden Eagles lead to 13-6 at halftime. Once halftime hit, Tulane turned on the jets and outlasted Southern Miss. In the third quarter, the Green Wave outgained the Golden Eagles 214-49 along with a takeaway as Tulane outscored Southern Miss 24-0 in the third, taking a 30-13 lead and ending the game by the same score.

After the two Golden Eagles scoring drives, Tulane’s defense forced eight punts, two interceptions, and two turnovers by downs. In that span, Tulane outgained Southern Miss 374-195.

Green Wave head coach Willie Fritz talked after the game about the message he gave his players at halftime, “A lot of bad words. We got after them. We don’t want to go out like this. I’m tough on these kids sometimes, and they responded.”

Tulane’s defense held Jack Abraham to 25 yards after the two scoring drives. The Golden Eagles made a quarterback change at halftime due to a shoulder injury to Abraham, replacing him with Tate Whatley. Whatley finished the day completing nine of twenty-two for 134 yards and the two second-half interceptions. Tulane’s senior quarterback Justin McMillian had a successful and conservative afternoon. The Armed Forces Bowl MVP completed thirteen of eighteen passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns.

McMillian was quick to give credit to his teammates after the game and point out a historic win for the Tulane football program, “It’s not the same team that we were last year, this team won two bowl games straight. We made history with this team this year.”

In the 2018 College Football season, Tulane knocked off the Ragin Cajuns of Louisiana Lafayette 41-24 in the Cure Bowl.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Green Wave while Southern Miss finished the college football season on a three-game losing streak of their own. For fans curious about the next meeting, the “Battle of the Bell” renews again on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Tulane.

Wisconsin defense can’t slow down Oregon ground game

By

Christopher Floch

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January 2, 2020

BC4Q1461 — Wisconsin Badgers vs Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

PASADENA- A 30-yard touchdown run by quarterback Justin Herbert late in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference, as Oregon defeated Wisconsin, 28-27 in the 106th Rose Bowl. It was an epic seesaw contest which truly lived up to the hype and expectations befitting “The Granddaddy Of Them All”. Oregon (12-2) captured their fourth Rose Bowl victory, while Wisconsin(10-4) have lost their fourth Rose Bowl in a row.

Wisconsin Badgers vs Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

It seems Wisconsin shut down Herbert’s powerful arm, it was his legs that ultimately propelled the Ducks to victory. Herbert threw for only138 yards, while the offense gained a measly 204 yards. The game had everything a football fan craves; turnovers special teams blunders and six lead changes in this thriller.

Oregon opened the game with an early touchdown before Wisconsin’s Aron Cruickshank returned a 95-yard kickoff to even the score at 7-7. The Ducks capitalized off three Badger turnovers to generate twenty-one points. One pivotal play was the botched punt by Wisconsin punter Anthony Lotti, who inexplicably dropped the ball. Oregon’s Brady Breeze palmed the pigskin with one hand as if it were a basketball, then ran 31-yards for a touchdown early in the second half.

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 94 yards and wide receiver Quintez Cephus hauled in seven receptions for 59 yards and a score. The Badgers held a narrow 24-21 edge in the fourth quarter and were going in for the kill. Yet Oregon’s defense came through in the red zone, holding Wisconsin to a field goal.

With 7:41 remaining, Herbert faked a handoff and darted 31-yards to immortality. His 31-yard scamper put Oregon up for good. On the following possession, Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan struggled all afternoon. A controversial pass interference called on the offense wiped out any chance of a last second win.

Never knew Ducks enjoyed cheese!

Oregon Natives Lead the Ducks to Rose Bowl Victory

By

Bryce Viglione

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January 1, 2020

PASADENA, CA – Four years ago Justin Herbert and the Oregon Ducks were 4-8, and the University’s football program had a cloudy future coming off a string of National Championship contending seasons. Tonight, Herbert led the No. 6 Ducks (12-2) to a 28-27 victory over the No 8. Wisconsin Badgers (10-4) in the 106th Rose Bowl Game, and the program’s future looks brighter than ever.

Rose Bowl 2020 Wisconsin vs Oregon (Photo by Megan Connelly)

Oregon started the game strong, marching 75 yards in 4:30 min to take an early 7-0 lead after Justin Herbert kept the ball on a read option for a 4-yard touchdown run, but Wisconsin quickly answered. Aron Cruickshank returned Oregon’s kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, and sophomore linebacker Jack Sanborn intercepted Herbert the next play setting the Badgers up for a 44-yard field goal to take their first lead of the game at 10-7.

After the quick start Oregon’s offense stalled, finishing the night with only 204 total yards which is the least of any team in a Rose Bowl Game in the last 40 years, to Wisconsin’s 322. Despite the offensive struggles Oregon had plenty of opportunities to score thanks to their defense who forced 4 turnovers.

The biggest of which came when Wisconsin botched a punt, and junior safety Brady Breeze picked the ball up and ran 31 yards for a touchdown, regaining the lead for Oregon at 20-17. Breeze stepped up again late in the fourth quarter when he caused a fumble, which was recovered by Bryson Young giving the Ducks the ball on the Wisconsin 30-yard line.

Herbert capitalized on the opportunity the very next play, taking off for 30 yards after stiff arming a defender and scoring what would become the game winning touchdown giving the Ducks their final lead at 28-27. In total, Herbert rushed 9 times for 29 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Brady Breeze and Justin Herbert were named the Rose Bowl MVPs, a surreal moment for two kids who grew up in Oregon watching Rose Bowl games as fans, dreaming of playing for the Ducks themselves. “Now I’m scoring touchdowns in a Rose Bowl like a little kid always dreamed about” Breeze stated after the game.

Reflecting on the moment Mario Cristobal said “It’s hard to even script this kind of Hollywood story, right? Right down the road, born and raised, just like Brady, been watching Oregon Duck football forever. And they’re sitting here in front of you as Rose Bowl champions -not only as Rose Bowl champions but as MVPs of the Rose Bowl after winning the Pac-12 Championship.”

Mario Cristobal has rebuilt the Oregon football program in only two full seasons as a head coach, and with back to back top 10 recruiting classes things seem to only be getting started. The Ducks offense will look significantly different next season as Justin Herbert heads to the NFL, and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo takes over as the head coach at the UNLV, but the next chapter in Oregon history is ready to be written.