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UCLA Basketball: Isaac Hamilton’s 22 Points, Team Defense, Leads Bruins Past Washington State

By Matt Wagner

Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following an all-around bad loss vs. Washington just two days prior, UCLA came out with a chip on their shoulder and decimated the Cougars.

Getting thoroughly beaten at the hands of the Oregon Ducks.

Losing to the Washington Huskies after nearly completing a 20-point comeback.

Those are just two of the games in the UCLA Bruins’ struggles during Pac-12 play, and the Bruins came into their home game against Washington State needing a win both to restore confidence and to potentially begin the slow, arduous climb back up the conference standings.

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Although it wasn’t perfect in spots, the Bruins did come through against a last-place Cougar team, getting a much desired rout in the process.

UCLA led 36-23 at halftime and they received solid contributions from Isaac Hamilton and Prince Ali, who had seven points apiece at the break. Also, reliable big man Thomas Welsh pitched in six points by halftime.

But the second half is the real story.

Based on UCLA‘s play from this season, this is where one would expect the Bruins to falter. Since the beginning of Pac-12 competition, the Bruins simply have not been able to put two consistent halves together.

Jan 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) gets a high five from head coach Steve Alford as he leaves the game in the second half against the Washington State Cougars Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 83-50. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) gets a high five from head coach Steve Alford as he leaves the game in the second half against the Washington State Cougars Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 83-50. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Leading by 13 heading into halftime? The Bruins will take their foot off the gas and have to scratch and claw for a victory, right?

Wrong.

UCLA put up 47 points in the second frame while continuing to stifle Washington State defensively.

Hamilton caught fire and scored 15 points in the second half, while the Bruins got 11 points in 18 minutes from an energized Tony Parker, who did not start for the first time this season.

Add in 10 points from Welsh, 12 points from Bryce Alford, 10 from Aaron Holiday, among others, you have yourself a 33-point, 83-50, UCLA BruWin.

And don’t we all like those BruWins?

Two other sidenotes from Saturday’s victory were an improved UCLA defense that held Washington State to 33% shooting from the field as well as a solid performance from do-everything role player Gyorgy Goloman.

Goloman — coming off a stress fracture in his leg — hasn’t looked as effective in his five appearances this season as he was in his freshman campaign. A dropoff is to be expected right now considering his injury, but he had himself a solid game Saturday.

The sophomore tallied six points, four rebounds as well as one assist, and was effective with rotating on defense throughout.

It certainly did look like a step forward for GG in his road back.

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As for the Bruins, while this was a good victory, it should be treated with cautious optimism. They did show some signs of improvement, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to sustain good performances throughout the season.