USC ?embarrassed? after blowout loss to UCLA

The Trojans aren't competitive in losing to the Bruins, 66-47. The defeat is USC's sixth in a row.

LOS ANGELES ? USC is undermanned, inexperienced and riddled with injuries. Those are givens.

But the Trojans weren't even competitive in their 66-47 loss to UCLA on Sunday night at Galen Center, and that didn't sit well with at least one of them.

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"Honestly, we embarrassed ourselves," freshman guard Alexis Moore said. "We did a disservice to the university in our effort and in how played."

USC's sixth loss in a row was also its most one-sided. As in each of the previous five, the Trojans shot less than 40 percent from the field (36.0). They made just 9 of 21 foul shots (42.9) and pulled down only 19 rebounds to the Bruins' 44.

"They took the game right to us in every respect, particularly the front line," USC coach Kevin O'Neill said.

It didn't help the Trojans' cause that forward Aaron Fuller played with torn muscles in both shoulders. Neither he nor center James Blasczyk (foot) practiced all week.

"Aaron's gone from a legit double-double threat to someone who struggles to play the game," O'Neill said of Fuller, who had eight points and two rebounds.

MINER'S MAJOR MOMENT

At least the Harold Miner ceremony went well.

USC retired the No. 23 jersey of its all-time leading scorer at halftime. Several of Miner's former teammates and coaches attended the festivities. He thanked them, along with his youth coaches, his parents and USC's fans.

"You guys inspired us to play our hearts out each and every week," said Miner, who played for USC from 1989-92.

Miner, the school's all-time leading scorer, is the fourth USC men's basketball player to have his number retired.

"I am truly humbled and honored tonight," he told the crowd. "Again, I want to thank you for this wonderful evening. I'll remember it forever."

NOTES

The Trojans' losing streak is their longest since they dropped seven in a row in the 2002-03 season. ... USC lost despite committing just six turnovers. ... The Trojans fell to 3-8 at home, their most home losses since 1997-98. ... Late in the second half, freshman Byron Wesley made a shot while attempting a lob pass to Dewayne Dedmon. "I was happy ... to see that go in," O'Neill said.

Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com

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