USC basketball did it again! The Trojans downed UCLA with the final shot of the regular season on Saturday, keeping their hopes of a Pac-12 title alive.
Tahj Eaddy's last-second game-winning three-pointer at Pauley Pavilion was the thing of dreams in a rivalry matchup, especially one with so much on the line.
If the Trojans had lost to the Bruins, they would have been knocked out of the Pac-12 Championship race. Now, USC awaits Sunday's matchup between Oregon and Oregon State. If the Beavers defend their home court, the Pac-12 regular-season crown will be the Trojans for the first time since 1985.
But that's a conversation for later. For now, it's time to bask in the glory.
Tahj Eaddy's glorious triple lifted USC basketball over UCLA
WE RUN LA! pic.twitter.com/sfpQnXjJE6
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) March 6, 2021
Did that one look familiar?
Deja vu. #BeatTheBruins pic.twitter.com/3wnjFR3cxt
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) March 7, 2021
That's right. In the season-finale last year Jonah Mathews dropped a three at the buzzer to beat the Bruins.
TAHJ EADDY. Mayhem in Pauley. Name me a better duo than UCLA and losing to USC on last-second shots.
— Benjamin Zacher (@beezacher) March 6, 2021
Make it a collection @MuseeLouvre pic.twitter.com/cYIwnyTRbg
— Barstool SC (@BarstoolSC) March 6, 2021
USC basketball alumni had things to say about it.
Imagine losing back to back years off gamewinners? #WeRunLA https://t.co/6cIpP2sZYB
— Onyeka Okongwu (@BigO21_) March 6, 2021
Tahj Eaddy you are a bad man!!!!!
— Ethan anderson (@Nolomit_e) March 6, 2021
Omg UCLA sick ?????? way to grind that out @USC_Hoops ❤️?❤️? #WeRunLA
— Chimezie Metu™ (@Chimezie_Metu) March 6, 2021
Last year's hero sure took notice.
YESSSIR!! That’s TWO TIMES https://t.co/WEcP1K7nJD
— JO (@jonah_mathews4) March 6, 2021
@2Teazy your different 2 @USC_Hoops
— JO (@jonah_mathews4) March 6, 2021
USC football players were also right there celebrating the victory and the Trojans continued reign of UCLA.
STOP PLAYIN!! We run LA ✌️? https://t.co/gao17lmlfz
— Zay (@Isaiah_Pola_Mao) March 6, 2021
That's four-straight wins over UCLA in basketball and two straight victories over UCLA football.
https://t.co/7z3F48H3px pic.twitter.com/SQa4JJ8Ecx
— Jalen Mckenzie ? (@pcBjaypeez_) March 6, 2021
The Trojans loved it.
Locker room went ? pic.twitter.com/wBRapUIjHT
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) March 7, 2021
Athletic director Mike Bohn loved it.
What an incredible shot, @2Teazy!
— Mike Bohn (@USC_mikebohn) March 7, 2021
And a great team win for @USC_Hoops gutting it out on the road. #FightOn ✌️pic.twitter.com/Odk6wI1g00
The shot was incredible, especially because the Trojans trailed for most of the game. UCLA by as many as 13 points in the first half. USC trailed by 11 at halftime.
The Trojans hadn’t led the entire game until 1 second remained on the clock with that Eaddy 3.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) March 6, 2021
UCLA's win probability was 80% with 11 seconds remaining. pic.twitter.com/oxkc8zVxiN
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) March 7, 2021
When it comes to the Pac-12 title, USC did what they had to do this weekend. Wins over Stanford and UCLA were essential to overcoming last weekend's slip against the Mountain schools.
The Trojans' fate is in the hands of Oregon State, who will take on Oregon at 5:00 p.m. PT on Sunday.
Whether USC spends Sunday night celebrating or bemoaning their missed opportunity, the Trojans will next turn their eyes to the Pac-12 tournament. The action begins on Thursday with USC holding either the No. 1 or 2 seed.