USC-UCLA RIVALRY ON VERGE OF GREATNESS.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

It was USC's day, so UCLA spoiled it.

Well, of course. That's what rivals do. Break your heart, win when it hurts the most.

``Just like, football,'' chanted the UCLA contingent at Galen Center after the Bruins slipped out with 65-64 victory Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans were hosting the Bruins for the first time at the Galen Center and wanted very much for it to prove something of an historic occasion.

It was their first sellout. They retired Bill Sharman's number at halftime. Led by 10 points with with less than 11minutes to play.

And saw UCLA rally to lead by six with less than a minute left. And then rallied to take the lead behind an incredible four-point play by Nick Young with 23seconds left. And then saw Aaron Afflalo drill a 14-footer with four seconds to play.

It was heart-stopping stuff, a ragged game that came with a dramatic finish and was filled with second-half ebbs and flows and alternating heroes.

As a first meeting in the new arena, it made for some opening act.

``It was just a great environment,'' Young said. ``That's what college basketball is all about.''

It could prove simple foreshadowing to a rivalry in a series -- though it's certainly had its moments -- that could threaten to be at its finest since the early '70s, when Bob Boyd had USC's program at such lofty heights it actually managed to hang with John Wooden and his Bruins.

Next year O.J. Mayo, viewed by many as the No. 1 recruit in the country, will lead a highly regarded freshman class to USC. Next year the Bruins will bring in Kevin Love, described by many as the best-passing center since Bill Walton.

This year, the Trojans are already battling to the end, trying to spoil rankings and arenas and postseason plans -- and city smack.

``It can be the best rivalry in the United States,'' said USC guard Lodrick Stewart. ``They're bringing some great guys in here and can continue. This could be the best rivalry anywhere.''

That requires two teams playing in rarified air. Under Wooden that once seemed a permanent UCLA domain. Since Wooden retired in 1975, one title and too much inconsistency has followed.

Last season under the steady Ben Howland, the Bruins returned to the NCAA title game. They lost to Florida, but the program seemed to be solidly heading toward elite status, and the Bruins entered Saturday's game 14-1 and ranked No.4.

The Trojans need to make a leap to make this a truly memorable rivalry, but with the addition of coach Tim Floyd, the Galen Center and soon Mayo & Co., USC is also looking like a future top-10 team.

This season the Trojans have already surprised many, jumping to a 13-5 start behind Young and surprising freshman Taj Gibson, beating three ranked opponents (Oregon, Washington and Wichita State).

They could have knocked down their 14thvictory, and fourth ranked opponent, but went dry for almost eight minutes down the stretch, hitting only one field goal until the last minute.

Galen was jumping all day, but particularly late, not that the building's ballyhooed structure played a part.

Though an announced sellout, there were two large sections only partially full. And Galen's scenic window was closed by drapes to keep glare off the floor for TV cameras. At night the window reflects lights from inside the arena, making it difficult to distinguish the skyline.

Maybe they'll have to try early-evening games.

Still, the setting was light years beyond the ravaged Sports Arena. And though there weren't nearly as many UCLA fans in attendance as some at USC feared, there was a large enough group that their chants where unmistakable.

It's one of the elements that make this all-Los Angeles rivalry potentially so wonderful, followers of both teams jamming into an arena, making it almost pulsate with passion.

``Both sides were just screaming,'' said UCLA guard Darren Collison. ``They'd scream for us, and then scream for them. I can't explain what it was like.

``It was just college basketball at its best.''

Howland said this is the way he would prefer it, both teams playing at top level, pushing it each other, pushing the Pacific-10 Conference forward.

``This is a great venue, a great atmosphere,'' Howland said. ``That's a tournament team. It's great for college basketball in Los Angeles to have two very good basketball teams play here.

``It's also benefits the conference to be as strong as it can. I love that we're rated the No. 1 conference right now. That prepares you for the NCAA Tournament. And we're judged by how we do in the NCAA Tournament.''

Tight games can do that, too, and this one went down to the final seconds. A pair of baskets by Lorenzo Mata inside had UCLA seeming to be comfortably up 63-57 with 57 seconds to play.

But Gabe Pruitt hit a 3-pointer, and after a pair of free throws missed by Mata (who is shooting just 31.7 percent on the season), Young did Pruitt one better by drilling a 3-pointer while being fouled by Collison.

``I didn't know it went in until I heard the crowd go wild,'' Young said.

USC thought it had given Galen a first UCLA game to cherish.

``The atmosphere in the Galen Center was electric,'' Floyd said. ``Our fans were great.

``This building will change our program. It's a great place to play and to recruit to.''

Young hit his free throw to give USC a 64-63 lead, but UCLA then went and did what rivals are known for, Afflalo going all clutch and hitting his game-winner.

``I'd rather just clobber them and have it the easy way, but playing without Josh (Shipp) and on their court, I can live with this,'' Collison said. ``This was a fun experience.''

It could be the first of many. Of the 10 starters Saturday, only Stewart is a senior. New stars are on the horizon.

And an historic rivalry could be poised for a new apex.

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