The UCLA Bruins (15-10, 7-5) keep their home swagger alive with a rout of the Oregon State Beavers (16-8, 7-5) with a 75-59 win at home. The Bruins continue to be unbeaten at Pauley Pavilion during conference play in a crucial “bounce back” game after a meltdown in Berkeley. With this victory, the Bruins move a half a game out of fourth place in the Pac-12 which would get them that first round bye in the conference tournament.
Admittedly, I did not see the first half, but I heard UCLA did a bang up job that was emphasized with a Bryce Alford 3-pointer to end the half. Alford had 14 by halftime on his way to 22 as the Bruins broke down the Beavers for a 40-25 lead at the break. Oregon State was shooting 27% whilst the Bruins were 52% from the field.
Feb 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Langston Morris-Walker (13) defends UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) in the first half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The second half, which I did see, was more of the same (apparently). UCLA was unstoppable as they shot as much as 60% midway through the second half. Every Bruin starter, except for Norman Powell was having a field day with the Beavers.
UCLA Bruins
Tony Parker continued his dominance under the basket with 16 points and 10 rebounds as he manhandled OSU’s Olaf Schaftenaar. The Beaver’s forward, who averages nearly 9 points and 4 rebounds a game, had 0 in both departments.
Kevon Looney got into the game late, but did manage to end up with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Isaac Hamilton had ice in his veins, especially behind the 3-point line as he hit 3-0f-5 and finished with 16 points and a game-high 9 assists. As for Powell, it seems he just could not get his game going, or even attempted to, as he went 1-for-6 with 4 points.
Oregon State had nothing going for them except their two guards Gary Payton II and Langston Morris-Walker who finished with 24 and 19 points, respectively. The rest of the team totaled 16 points.
Though it was great to see UCLA back to their winning ways, it now becomes very important for them to keep that momentum going as they have the 3rd best team in the conference coming to Pauley on Saturday as Oregon looks to take the season sweep from the Bruins.
But I do not see that happening as the Bruins have been pretty solid squad on their home court.
Go Bruins!