UCLA Basketball Crumbles Late, Oregon Ducks Win, 76-67

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA hoops suffered a crushing defeat to No. 21 Oregon on Saturday afternoon, 76-67. The Ducks were able to travel to Pauley Pavilion and snap the Bruins’ 10-game winning streak.

For much of the contest, the squads exchanged baskets and blows. Early on, in the first half, Oregon and UCLA found themselves in a physical match-up which led to seven lead changes, with the respective teams’ offenses running the court at will. UCLA got the better of Oregon in the opening period, though, with UCLA shooting 57 percent from the floor in the first half while holding Oregon to under 40 percent. Given such a disparity, however, UCLA led by only three to end the half.

The second half was dictated by defense and tighter refereeing, though, and UCLA opened up the final 20 minutes with cold shooting, scoring just six points in the first nine minutes of the half. Oregon was not fully potent offensively either, but did enough to keep the game close for much of the period.

In the end, UCLA’s defense burned out and Oregon went on a run late in the game to close out the Bruins, which struggled again offensively after gaining momentum back for a fair amount late in the contest.

Leading the way for UCLA in the loss was Travis Wear, who went 8-for-14 from the floor and earned 17 points. Kyle Anderson also had himself a well-rounded game and proved to be UCLA’s catalyst early on. He trailed off in the second half, but managed to earn yet another double-double with 10 points and 11 boards to go along with six assists and a steal.

UCLA will travel to Tuscon to take on the Arizona Wildcats next Thursday, January 19.