UCLA Basketball Gets Buff Against Colorado, Win 92-74

February 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordan Adams (3) celebrates after scoring a basket against the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In the mystery of “what the hell just happened here”, the UCLA Bruins (19-5, 8-3) ultimately defeated the Colorado Buffaloes (18-7, 7-5), 92-74 after a bad start. This game was this epitome of bi-polar basketball as the Bruins overcame a dominant Buffalo team in the first half to throttle them in the second.

Maybe it was the early 6 PM start, which was forced by the hand of ESPN2, that cause a sluggish beginning to UCLA’s game, but this was a bad way to assert yourself in a game that had so much riding on it for both teams.

You would have thought this was a Colorado home getting the way the Buffaloes shot out of the starting gate. Colorado had everything going for them, and that even included the referees, but let’s not get into that.

Colorado led at halftime 40-36 behind some serious basketball from Buffalo forward Josh Scott, who had done most of the damage for his team and ended with 20 points. Askia Booker had a decent night of his own with 16 points and 12 assists.

Unfortunately, they were still missing the skills of injured point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, and it showed in the second half.

UCLA found a spark and turned into a raging flame in the second-half when as entire Bruin team woke up and started contributing. Not only was UCLA able to come from behind and but they made a surge into the lead and never looked back.

Five Bruins posted double digits numbers as they outscored Colorado 56-34 in the second half.

Where to begin? Kyle Anderson almost had another triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds. Ol’ Jordan Adams got back into the swing of things as he added 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and a game-high 3 steals. There was also a solid performance by Bryce Alford who 4-of-5 three pointers and ended with 14 points.

Say what you will about the first half and the Bruin’s effort, the point is that they came back to finish the game. They wrecked Colorado in the second half and that produced a victory. UCLA was able to show that they are capable of bringing their firepower when needed and get a statement victory in the Pac-12. In the end, isn’t that what every UCLA fan wants?

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco