UCLA Once Again Loses In The Second Half As The Bruins Are Unable To Finish in Berkeley
The UCLA (14-10, 6-5) basketball team have a poor second half for the second game in a row, though unlike at Stanford, they lose to Cal (15-9, 5-6) at Haas Pavilion, 64-62. Once again the Bruins could not capitalize on a second half lead and got broken down with missed shots, missed opportunities and miss a chance at their first road sweep since 2013.
UCLA had a hard time getting their game going. They started off by making 3 out of seven shots in the first three and a half minutes, but then went four minutes without even attempting a shot. Not just missing, but failing to shoot all together. The Bruins were plagued with both turnovers and fouls that lead to a 10 point deficit midway through the first half.
UCLA Bruins
Though Cal is not predisposed to forcing turnovers, they managed to put pressure on the Bruins who mishandled the ball many times in the first half. UCLA had 7 turnovers by halftime.
UCLA was limited to having only one scorer as Bryce Alford had 13 points on 4-f0r-7 shooting. He finished the game with 15 points.
UCLA did manage to fight back as they were down by 2 with 14 seconds left in the first, yet could not tie it with their final possession. Cal took the ball back with six seconds left and scored on a questionable buzzer beating tip-in. Cal lead 32-28 at the half.
After the break, UCLA started off strong and was able to lead for the majority of the half, though similarly to the game at Stanford, the Bruin’s broke down towards the end of the game. Missed shots, missed free throws, bad defensive pressure and bad shot selection all contributed to what ended in a loss. A loss that could have been avoided.
The Bruins were up 60-55 with three and a half minutes remaining in the game, but could not find any way to pull ahead. Cal stayed in the game as Jabari Bird and Dwight Tarwater hit some crucial three pointers that helped over take UCLA late. The Golden Bears lead 64-62 with 20 seconds left.
Feb 7, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) holds onto a rebound against the California Golden Bears in the second half at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears defeated the Bruins 64-62. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins had a chance to tie the game with a final shot by Norman Powell, who finished with 13 and 6 rebounds, but it was forced and hit the side of the rim. Cal recovered and Kingsley Okoroh was fouled with five seconds left. He missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and the Bruins had one last chance. Despite having one timeout remaining, Alford took the rebound and headed down court and attempted a long three pointer that bounced off the rim. Cal comes away victorious and prevents UCLA’s road sweep.
The Bruins next play Oregon State at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday.