Leaf made what coach Steve Alford called a “tremendous” effort in returning from a sprained ankle Thursday, collecting 14 points, six rebounds and five assists against the Trojans.
But the Bruins still had issues. They shot only 41.2 percent from the field, had 13 turnovers that USC turned into 15 points and took 12 fewer free throws than the Trojans.
They’ll take it.
“We’re just learning how to win,” Leaf said. “We don’t think we’re at the top of our game but the bottom line is we got the win. That’s the bottom line at the end of the day is just to get a win. It makes it special to win on an off night. We’re all so competitive that we can make up for it.”
Besides, UCLA center Thomas Welsh said, playing USC was a “rivalry game in March,” inevitably a tough competition against a crosstown team (that happens to be fighting to stay in the NCAA tournament field).
“They’re not gonna give in,” Welsh said. “It was a great win for us too because we didn’t play our best ball. At the end of the day, it’s about surviving and advancing.”
