UCLA came into this game with something to prove and that they did with a high and awkward win over SMU. The first half was a stop-and-go roller coaster that was both hair-pulling and yawn-inducing. Both teams would get hot and answer each other’s baskets with some of their own, but when one team went cold, so did the other. Baskets were huge in this game when either could get them. In the first half, UCLA shot 48% while SMU shot 35%. The Mustang’s season average for field goals is 48%.
The Bruins seemed to be in a bit of trouble early with their big men as Tony Parker committed his second foul halfway through the first half. Before halftime, Parker, Thomas Welsh and Kevon Looney all had two fouls.
It almost did not matter (almost!) because Norman Powell and Bryce Alford hit some big shots when the Bruins needed. At halftime, Alford was 4-of-5 from 3-point land and Powell had 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 rebound. Powell even hit a big final shot of the half to put the Bruins up 34-30.
The second half started with four turnovers and 7 missed shots before Isaac Hamilton hit a three with just over three minutes in.
The offense did not improve much, but what did was UCLA’s defense… “stifling” as one person on Twitter put it. They were double-teaming, cutting off lanes, rebounding and blocking! But then the forgot to continue using their defense as SMU went on a 19-point run. The Bruins had broken down… luckily there was still some gas and weirdness left int he tank.
UCLA had managed to get back in the game, but not before SMU made one final push. The Mustangs had made the second of two easy baskets when Powell dribbled it off his foot and into the hands of Ryan Manuel who took it in for a dunk. SMU was up 59-52 at that point with a minute and a half left. But then the Bruins hot some big threes and had a little luck on their side.
Is this a goaltend? https://t.co/FYtXkPdXqA
— Busting Brackets (@BustingBrackets) March 19, 2015
Thomas Welsh had then stolen the ball late which gave the Bruins 22 seconds to try to tie it at 59. UCLA pushed the envelope with their final possession as Alford attempted a three that was off, yet SMU was called for goaltending that 3, which instantly put the Bruins up 60-59. In a stunned haze, the Mustangs tried to finish but missed two critical shots. And just like that UCLA wins and moves on to the round of 32 as they takle on the UAB Blazers who took out Iowa State earlier. today!
GO BRUINS!