LOS ANGELES — USC had allowed its six-point lead in the final minute against No. 19 Auburn to dissipate, a bad in-bounds pass intercepted by the Tigers to cut it down with four free throws with hardly any precious seconds slipping off the clock.
With the game on the line, the Trojans put their fate in the hands of guard Boogie Ellis. But when he split his free throws, failing to make it a two-possession game with 7.5 seconds left, Ellis did the next best thing, fouling the Tigers on the court and not allowing Auburn to get up a 3-point attempt to tie.
The Tigers made their free throws, then fouled Ellis again. This time, he made both and Auburn guard K.D. Johnson’s heave bounced off the back of the rim as USC escaped with a 74-71 win.
