UCLA Bruins Get Served Some Reality Against Coastal Carolina, Struggle In First Half Of 84-71 Victory

The UCLA Bruins basketball team got hit up with a bit of reality on Sunday night as they beat the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 84-71 in front of a quiet Pauley Pavilion. Though the score may indicate some dominance on the part of the Bruins, they did not officially take this game in hand until a second half push lead by point guard Bryce Alford gave UCLA firm control. Alford made all 17 points in the second half and added 7 assists and 3 rebounds.

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Coastal Carolina was taking it to the Bruins from the starting tip-off. They moved the ball around, took chances from the outside and took it to the rim despite the Bruins tall guys down low. Coastal Carolina had three guys that scored in double digits, including Josh Cameron who came off the bench for a game-high 22 points. Because the Chanticleers shot 40% or less the entire game, it hindered any attack they had, especially in the first half when their tempo got the best of UCLA. Everything the Chanticleers did, they did it without fear. At halftime, they had only trailed by 4 points as UCLA lead 32-28.

Unlike UCLA’s game two nights ago against Montana State where the Bruins had a 28 point half time lead, the Bruins were now faced with a team that had proper talent and knew how to use it. Unfortunately for the Chantileers, the Bruins talented emerged in the second half behind some important adjustments that shifted the Bruin’s game, from everybody. When UCLA began to pull away at the beginning of the second half, it was behind a collective effort.

Nov 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers guard Josh Cameron (3) guards UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) in the second half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 84-71. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Parker had started the surge to start the second half as he got the Bruins on the board with two quick baskets and ended the night with 11 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Bryce Alford woke up and scored his first points of the game after the half and finished with 17. Kevon Looney found his shot after the break which lead him to his first collegiate double-double as he scored 17 for the game and grabbed 14 rebounds (7 offensive, 7 defensive).  With that, two other Bruins scored in double figures as Norman Powell and Isaac Hamilton got 13 and 16 points of their own, respectively.

What you witnessed on Friday night against Montana State was not a fluke, but it was produced against a lesser opponent. On Sunday, the Bruins got a reality check from a decent Big South Conference team that WILL make waves this year. Because of that, the Bruins, although better than expected, have to realize they are still a young team that needs to learn a lot. Though Coastal Carolina was a VERY good shooting team, the Bruins need to play better on defense and not rely on solely pulling down rebounds. Once they learn to stop teams before they shoot, which the Chanticleers did far too easily, than UCLA is going to have a bad time.

UCLA WILL score a lot this season and will be efficient on the glass but will not do anything until they learn to play 40 minutes of basketball, which includes starting strong, improving on defense and making free throws, which the Bruins did improved on. Friday they shot 26 of 40 (65.0%) from the free throw line. Against Coastal Carolina, they only missed four as they went 22 of 26 (84.6%).

So improvements can be made. If the Bruins make them sooner or later, you could see a team that will do some damage in March. And possibly April.