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UCLA Basketball: Bruins Lose To Oregon State, Finish Sub-.500

By Mike Regalado

Jan 3, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford looks on against the Washington State Cougars during the first half at Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford looks on against the Washington State Cougars during the first half at Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team once again played some uninspired ball in a losing effort to the Oregon State Beavers, 86-82.

The UCLA basketball team trailed by as much as 11 to start the game against Oregon State. The Bruins, who were tied at 31 at halftime, allowed a 22-9 run. The Beavers built on that effort with 55 points in the second half (mind you, they are the 10th best scoring team in the Pac-12).

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The result, a defenseless effort that ended in another loss for UCLA. In fact, it was very reminiscent of the multiple losses the Bruin incurred in the last several weeks.

UCLA Basketball is 2-6 in their final eight games of the regular season. The Bruins also finish sub-.500 at home in Pac-12 play with a 4-5 record.

With this loss, UCLA finishes 15-16 overall and 6-12 in conference. It is the worst finish for a UCLA Basketball team since 2003 which was the final year of the Steve Lavin era.

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To make matters worse, with UCLA finishing in 10th place in conference, they will be matched up with USC in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament on Wednesday. And why is that bad? If you do not recall, the Bruins have already lost twice to the Trojans this season.

First they lost at Pauley Pavilion 89-75 and then at the Galen Center, 80-61, making the margin of victory for USC from both games, 33 points.

If the Bruins want to make it to the NCAA Tournament, they will have to win four games in a row, unfortunately, it does not look like it will happen, especially with this first round match-up. And even if UCLA did beat USC, it will be next to impossible to win three more.

But back to the Oregon State game… it was painful. Their early ineffectiveness put them in another hole that they could not climb out of. The Bruins once again had a fantastic comeback, but once again it was too-little-too-late. UCLA finishes the season as disappointingly as they finish the majority of their conference games.

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That, Bruin fans, is what we are left with. As much as I would like to see this team succeed, under Head Coach Steve Alford, it just does not seem possible.