UCLA Survives Stanford, Blows A Huge Second Half Lead

The UCLA Bruins (14-9, 6-4) have survived. They leave Maples Pavilion with an important road victory over Stanford (15-7, 6-4) for their second win over the Cardinal this season. Though it was another heart-attack inducing game as UCLA blew a 22-point second half lead, the Bruins now find themselves tied for fourth place in the Pac-12 Conference.

For a national televised game, this one started out as if it were broadcast on public access. Maybe it was the fact that Maples Pavilion looked as empty as Pauley Pavilion, but both teams were cold in the first 10 minutes. The Cardinal and Bruins had some bad shooting to begin and it was not just good open looks from the outside. UCLA and Stanford had missed an abundance of tip-ins, lay-ups and short jumpers as both were hovering around 30-35% shooting. But then the Bruins found a way to pull ahead.

UCLA was ignited with an 8-0 in the first half that saw them take an 11 point lead. Isaac Hamilton, who has been inconsistent and (unfortunately) a bit unreliable, was on fire and a breathe of fresh air. He collected six points around the 6:30 mark that started the Bruins run. UCLA, at one point had a 31-15 lead, but then seemed to get a bit too comfortable.

Stanford got back the game with a 10-0 run to end the half. UCLA lead 31-25 at halftime.

UCLA Bruins

The Bruins looked to reverse what the Cardinal did to end the first half and try to come out strong in the second. UCLA did just that as they when Hamilton hit a three pointer from the get-go. That had the Bruins flexing a little muscle. So much that they had a 22-point lead in the middle of the second half.

Unfortunately, UCLA seemed to take an all-to0-familar non-chalantness about their game. Their defensive pressure stopped. Their urgency for organized offense stopped. Their domination of the boards had stopped. It was if UCLA thought they had this game in the bag. Stanford did not think so, especially with 10 minutes remaining.

Despite the loss, the Cardinal had outscored the Bruins 32-12 to end the game. They were hitting shot after shot and the Bruins could not retaliate. It was not until Anthony Brown hit a three-pointer with just under four minutes left to bring Stanford to within eight points that the Bruins started showing some urgency. By then, it was a bit hard for the Bruins to fight back. UCLA missed their last 7 shots, though they were saved by making 4 of their final 7 free throws.

Stanford was on the edge of doing to UCLA what UCLA did to Stanford back on January 8 at Pauley Pavilion when the Cardinal blew a 14-point second half lead and ended up losing in double overtime.

Though that did not happen, the kicker was after Bryce Alford made a free throw to put UCLA up by 69-67 with 3 seconds left. Stanford had one last shot and no timeouts. That is when UCLA head coach Steve Alford called a timeout. Why, I will never know. It got even worse as Stanford’s Chasson Randle ran past half-court and shot an uncontested three and just missed it. Whew!

A win is a win, but it would be better if UCLA could win a bit more consistently. Still, the Bruins are not in good position to have a first-round bye in the Pac-12 tournament which is only four weeks away.

Go Bruins!