Dent erupts for 30 as UCLA thumps USC 81-62 in crosstown showdown
#UCLA vs USC#Donovan Dent#NCAA Tournament#College basketball#Crosstown rivals#Pauley Pavilion
📌 Key Takeaways
Donovan Dent scored a career-high 30 points against USC with 5 three-pointers
UCLA improved to 19-9 with the win while USC dropped to 18-10 with their fourth straight loss
Dent became the first Bruin to score 30 points against the Trojans since 2018
The Bruins rallied from 23 points down to secure their second win over a Top-10 team this season
USC's NCAA Tournament hopes took a major hit with the defeat
📖 Full Retelling
Donovan Dent scored a season-high 30 points to lead UCLA to an 81-62 victory over Southern California in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, February 25, 2026, as both crosstown rivals battled to secure their positions on the NCAA Tournament bubble. The senior guard erupted for 19 of his points in the first half, making a career-high five 3-pointers after not hitting any in his previous four games, including two that beat the shot-clock buzzer. Dent's dominant performance helped UCLA (19-9, 11-6) rally from a 23-point deficit in the first half to secure their second win over a Top-10 team this season, improving to 16-1 at the sold-out Pauley Pavilion. For USC (18-10, 7-10), the loss marked their fourth consecutive defeat, severely damaging their NCAA Tournament hopes as they were led by Chad Baker-Mazara's 25 points on five 3-pointers. Dent became the first Bruin to score 30 points against the Trojans since Aaron Holiday had 34 in 2018, and he followed up his game-winning shot against No. 10 Illinois last weekend with another standout performance, recording seven assists and no turnovers in 37 minutes.
Amateur basketball played by students of higher education institutions
College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athletic bodies, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercolle...
Donovan Dent (born December 2, 2003) is an American college basketball point guard for the UCLA Bruins of the Big Ten Conference. He previously played for the New Mexico Lobos, earning conference player of the year honors in the Mountain West in 2025.
Dent erupts for 30 as UCLA thumps USC 81-62 in crosstown showdown Donovan Dent led UCLA past Southern California 81-62 with a season-high 30 points By BETH HARRIS AP sports writer February 25, 2026, 1:38 AM LOS ANGELES -- Donovan Dent scored 19 of his season-high 30 points in the first half, and UCLA defeated Southern California 81-62 on Tuesday night in a meeting of crosstown rivals trying to stay off the NCAA Tournament bubble. Dent was the Bruins’ hero for a second straight game. The senior guard drove the length of the court in 4.9 seconds and scored at the buzzer in a 95-94 overtime win against No. 10 Illinois last weekend. The Bruins (19-9, 11-6) rallied from 23 points down in the first half to earn their second win over a Top-10 team this season. Dent is the first Bruin to score 30 points against the Trojans since Aaron Holiday had 34 points on March 3, 2018, in an 83-72 win. This time, Dent made a career-high five 3-pointers after not hitting any in his previous four games. Two of them beat the shot-clock buzzer as the Bruins improved to 16-1 at a sold out Pauley Pavilion. He also had seven assists and no turnovers in 37 minutes. It was a costly loss for the Trojans (18-10, 7-10), who have dropped four in a row. They were led by Chad Baker-Mazara with 25 points. He tied his season high with five 3-pointers. USC’s NCAA Tournament hopes had already taken a major hit with a 71-70 home loss to Oregon, next-to-last in the Big Ten. At least the Trojans are assured of making the league tournament, which is allowing all 18 teams to participate after limiting it to 15 previously. The Trojans closed within six on Baker-Mazara's three-point play midway through the second half. From there, the Bruins outscored the Trojans 26-13 to end the game. Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: More than 1 suspect not ruled out, sheriff's office says Feb 21, 5:31 PM Blizzard live updates: Snow totals top 2 feet as wind gusts reach 80 mph Feb 23, 5:29 PM Nancy Guthrie case: Perso...
