Bruins Beat Big Brother Behind Some Beautiful Basketball, UCLA Defeats Cal For The Bay Area Sweep

UCLA once again comes together as team to take out the California Golden Bears 73-54 as they sweep the Bay Area schools in their first home stand of conference play. The Bruins were able to evenly distribute scoring and use a second half run to take out a Cal team that has now lost five of their last six games.

UCLA Bruins

Though it was a tight game in the first half, UCLA looked a lot different than they had during their five-game losing streak where they were barely able to muster up any offense or defense. The Bruins were only ahead by five at halftime as they battled for the 31-26 lead, though it was apparent UCLA was in control. Norman Powell (who was banged up in the last game against Stanford) and Isaac Hamilton had been a force for UCLA as they both scored 10 points by the break to help their team out early.

Cal had hung in their, but only because Jordan Mathews was keeping the Golden Bears in the game with four 3-pointers in the first half (he finished with 23 points). One surprise for Cal was the re-emergence of Jabari Bird who had been out for several games due to a stress fracture in his foot. One bad surprise was that Bird only played eight minutes as he appeared to injury his hamstring in the first half and was a non-factor for the rest of the game.

That was the theme for Cal in this contest: do enough to stay in the game, but then do several things to hurt themselves. Though Cal could not help themselves, it was the Bruins that were the big factor in this game, especially with the way they shared the ball.

Jan 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Jordan Mathews (24) drives to the hoop on UCLA Bruins forward Tony Parker (23) and UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Bruins were in control in the first half, but it was a different story in the second as UCLA outscored Cal 42-28. Simply, they punished the Golden Bears from every part of the floor. Though the Bruins tried to establish a low-post threat early, it was not until the second half where they got it going down low with Tony Parker as he abused the Cal big men under the basket. He even established himself on the defensive end as he took a charge from one of the Cal players (one of the few from a Bruin player this year) that helped set the momentum. Parker finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds.

Jan 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) drives past California Golden Bears guard Tyrone Wallace (3) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

As for the rest of the Bruins, once again every starter scored in double figures. Kevon Looney (15), Powell (14), Hamilton (13) and Bryce Alford (11) were once again able to spread the floor and take advantage of the battered Bears.

Though Alford started the game in a shooting slump, he broke out of that after half to help put the game out of reach. What started as an 0-for-7 night, ended with three 3-pointers. Though he could not score early, Alford was a big contributor in facilitating the late push as he had a game-high 9 assists.

What was simply a game that UCLA were in control of, turned into a slaughter of the Bruin’s big brother. See what team work can do for you kids?

Go Bruins!