ARIZONA WILDCATS BASKETBALL

No. 12 Arizona basketball beats Bronny James, USC for bounce-back win

Jan 17, 2024, 10:23 PM | Updated: 10:25 pm

Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson...

Arizona's Pelle Larsson (3) reacts after getting fouled by Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Caleb Love scored 20 points, Pelle Larsson added 13 and No. 12 Arizona beat Southern California 82-67 on Wednesday night for another bounce-back victory under coach Tommy Lloyd.

Coming off a three-point loss at Washington State, the Wildcats (13-4, 4-2 Pac-12) overcame a nearly seven-minute stretch without a field goal to lead by 10 at halftime and stretched it to 19 midway through the second half.

Arizona had a second straight subpar shooting night, hitting 40% from the field, but scored 22 second-chance points off 21 offensive rebounds. The Wildcats are 15-0 coming off a loss under Lloyd and have won 13 of their last 14 games against USC at McKale Center.

The Trojans (8-10, 2-5) arrived in the desert on a two-game losing streak and missing their top two scorers. Boogie Ellis was out for the second straight game with a hand injury and freshman guard Isaiah Collier had hand surgery last week.

Bronny James tried to carry the Trojans, scoring nine of his 11 points in the first half despite being booed by Arizona’s students every time he touched the ball.

Playing his 10th game since returning from cardiac arrest, James shot 5 of 11 and had six assists after scoring two points on a combined 0-for-14 shooting the previews three games.

DJ Rodman led USC with 16 points.

The Wildcats got off to a torrid start to build an early 10-point lead before USC tripped them up by going to zone.

Unable to get good looks, Arizona went nearly seven minutes without a field goal as the Trojans trimmed the lead to four.

The Wildcats found a little bit of a rhythm late in the first half, using a 7-0 run to go up 45-35.

USC managed to keep Arizona within reach early in the first half before the Wildcats went on a 7-0 run to go up 64-46. The Trojans got no closer than 10 points from there.

THE TAKEAWAY

USC: The Trojans have struggled at McKale Center and playing without their top two scorers made end their desert misery a nearly insurmountable task.

Arizona: The Wildcats were disjointed at both ends for much of the night, yet found a way to win yet another game coming off a loss under Lloyd.

Arizona Wildcats basketball

BYU guard Egor Demin (3) drives between Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) and forward Trey Townsend during...

Lance Hartzler

No. 20 Arizona clamps down late to seal win over BYU

The No. 20 Arizona and BYU men's basketball teams were in a fun one in Provo, Utah, Tuesday night.

2 days ago

The Arizona Wildcats and UConn Huskies are finalizing a home-and-home series...

Tyler Drake

Arizona and UConn finalizing home-and-home men’s basketball series

The Arizona Wildcats are reportedly finalizing an agreement with the UConn Huskies for a home-and-home series beginning in the 2025-26 season.

3 days ago

Arizona's Caleb Love after headbutt...

Lance Hartzler

Arizona’s Caleb Love named Big 12 Player of the Week

No. 12 Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love was named the Big 12 player of the week following his performances in wins over Iowa State and ASU.

3 days ago

Arizona still on outside of AP Top 25...

Associated Press

College basketball rankings: Arizona returns to AP top 25 after beating ASU

The Arizona Wildcats (15-6) on Monday returned to The Associated Press' top 25 men's basketball rankings for the first time since November.

3 days ago

Richard Jefferson...

Damon Allred

Former Wildcat Richard Jefferson claps back at Bobby Hurley for questioning Arizona’s class

Richard Jefferson didn't take too kindly to Bobby Hurley questioning Arizona's class after his ASU squad was beaten on Saturday.

5 days ago

After he was ejected for an altercation in which he was headbutted by ASU's BJ Freeman late in an 8...

Bailey Leasure

Caleb Love takes high road after BJ Freeman’s headbutt leads to ejection in win over ASU

After he was ejected for an altercation in which he was headbutted by ASU's BJ Freeman late in an 81-72 win, Arizona's Caleb Love took the high road postgame. 

5 days ago

No. 12 Arizona basketball beats Bronny James, USC for bounce-back win