Ellis led all scorers with a season-high 28 points to go with five rebounds and six steals.
Despite the home setting, USC faced a hostile crowd. Auburn fans were in their seats early, some with body paint on as they cheered for the Tigers as they took the floor. A “Let’s go Auburn” chant erupted as soon as the visitors won the opening tip.Ellis came ready for this game, answering Auburn’s first basket, a 3, with one of his own.
The Trojans took the lead again on a Joshua Morgan layup. Guard Kobe Johnson came up with a steal on the other end and flipped the ball to Ellis, who bounced it forward to Drew Peterson for a one-handed dunk. Ellis hit the Trojans’ next three baskets, first a step-back 3 off a Morgan screen, then a pull-up jumper. He completed the hat trick with a two-handed transition dunk, staring down the Tigers as he back pedaled up the court, fists clenched at his sides.
Ellis scored 14 of USC’s first 28 points and helped the Trojans build an eight-point lead. But he couldn’t stay on the court for the entirety of the first half, and USC quickly crumbled without him.
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