After A Strong Comeback, UCLA Basketball Blows It At The End

The Bruins had a win within reach, but UCLA stumbles at the end with some bad play-calling to drop to 8-5 on the season as they lose to the Alabama Crimson Tide 56-50 in Tuscaloosa. The Bruins had the game tied at 50 with a minute left but took several errant shots

UCLA Bruins

UCLA started slow once again as Alabama took advantage of the Bruins 18.5% first half shooting (5-for-27). For some reason the Bruins cannot seem to get off to a fast start and are having trouble putting the ball in the net in the first half of games. The second half was an improvement but also had some issues, which we will get into shortly.

As for UCLA, it also didn’t help that several Bruins got into early foul trouble, especially Kevon Looney who had two quick ones called on him in the first five minutes. He eventually fouled out and finish the game with only four points and six rebounds after averaging a double-double per game this season.

Though the Bruins had some trouble scoring and we’re losing at halftime 29 to 17, Alabama did not exactly have an excellent first half either. Ricky Tarrant was the only Crimson Tide with any consistent production in the first half as he had 18 points by the break. At one part of the first half, he had 15 points, matching what UCLA had as Alabama had a 29-15 lead. Tarrant finished with 24 points.

Since he got to Westwood, one good thing about head coach Steve Alford is that he has been very good with second-half adjustments. The same thing happened at the start of the later half of this game as the Bruins came out on fire.

Isaac Hamilton hit two quick threes to start UCLA on a 10-0 run which brought the Crimson Tide lead to only 29-27. Tony Parker had also stepped up in the second as the Bruins finally established a low-post game. Parker finished with 10 points (seven in the second half) which was topped by a beautiful running banked sky-hook a la Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Though Alabama had only shot 7-f0r-21 in the second half, they fought off every charge UCLA had. The Bruins had tied the game at 50 with 59 seconds left in the game… UCLA actually had a chance to win this game.

Dec 28, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Steve Alford reacts to a turnover during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

But then the game plan broke down. After Tarrant hit one of two free throws to put Alabama up 51-50, UCLA called a timeout to regroup. Things went down hill from there.

Bryce Alford, who was making some questionable decisions all game long, attempted a three pointer from way beyond the arc and missed. Whether that was a designed play or an individual attempt on being the hero, it was not good basketball. The Tide scored on their next possession and slowly put the game out of reach. UCLA had to go to their “Hack-a-Bama” game plan and that was that.

What would have been a marvelous comeback story, ends with UCLA once again searching for answers and this time it was right before Pac-12 play which starts Friday, January 2 at Colorado with a trip to #14 Utah two days later.

If it was not apparent before, it will be a long season for UCLA Basketball.