Senior is just a synonym for experienced

Who says there aren’t seniors in college basketball anymore?

Freshmen may have taken over college basketball in the last few years, but experience still rules the game.

Last night against crosstown rival USC in a tightly contested game at the Galen Center, UCLA survived largely because its seniors ““ Alfred Aboya, Josh Shipp and most notably Darren Collison – simply would not let the Bruins lose.

With 15:19 remaining in the second half, USC had complete control of the game. The Trojans had just scored to take a 43-37 lead. The Galen Center was rocking. UCLA’s offense had been nothing short of discombobulated to start the second half.

Then, right on cue, UCLA’s seniors took over the game.

Led by Collison, the elder Bruins guided UCLA back into the game, sparking a 16-8 run over the ensuing 7 pivotal minutes.

It all started with a vintage Ben Howland play. Aboya craftily crept up behind USC point guard Daniel Hackett and poked the ball away as Hackett brought it into the front court. Collison of course was there to scoop the ball up and race in for an easy two points.

A moment later, Collison started running off of screens like Reggie Miller. Collison finally popped open in the corner, pump-faked, and quickly streaked through the lane like Allen Iverson and hit a floater to make it 43-40.

Crunch time? Collison time.

Then it was Josh Shipp’s turn.

The mercurial wingman produced a big steal, then drained a 17-foot jumper at the other end. He followed that up with a cold-blooded 3-pointer to cut USC’s lead to 47-45.

Finally, with the game tied at 51 and the shot clock winding down, Collison found himself with the ball near the top of the key.

He called for a screen, then waved it away, and finally called for another one. With the shot clock winding down and everyone in the building knowing he was looking to shoot, Collison calmly released a deep 2-pointer.

Swish.

The jumper gave the Bruins a 53-51 lead. They would never trail again.

Collison has been to three Final Fours, so it’s understandable that he remained calmer than a Shaolin monk as the shot clock ticked down, and he patiently waited for his spot.

College basketball is still a guard-dominated game, and more college coaches must wish they had a player with Collison’s poise.

Of course, there was the trademark UCLA defense that clamped down on USC to close the game. USC scored just 9 points in the final 10:50 of the contest to seal the deal for the Bruins.

Nikola Dragovic must also be lauded. In the first start of his career, he scored a career-best 14 points and made countless big shots and rebounds late in the game.

So while the game was uncomfortably close, and the opponent was a USC team that now has now has five losses and doesn’t look like an NCAA Tournament team, a win is a win, especially on the road.

Cal and Arizona State (whom the Bruins face next Saturday) look like strong challengers to UCLA’s Pac-10 hegemony.

But for the time being, the Bruins are still perfect in the conference.

They can thank their seniors for that.

If you think Darren Collison is the best point guard in America, e-mail Taylor at btaylor@media.ucla.edu.

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