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UCLA Basketball: Bruins Take Down #1 Kentucky, AGAIN!

By Mike Regalado

Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) dribbles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) in the first half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) dribbles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) in the first half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team just took down #1 Kentucky in Lexington, shocking the Wildcats 97-92 and beating them for the second year in a row.

What else can you say about this UCLA Basketball team other than “THEY ARE BACK!” The Bruins just put up the most points on Kentucky in Rupp Arena in the John Calipari era, winning 97-92.

The Bruins also snap UK’s 42-game home win streak with this win and head home with an 9-0 record, tying Head Coach Steve Alford‘s best start in his tenure.

The Bruins were getting pushed around early in the game, succumbing to the Wildcat’s physical style of play. But this Bruin team fought off any and all attacks by UK. UCLA had a 49-45 lead going into the break.

The storyline going into the second half was how UCLA would respond to a Kentucky team that was not used to being in this position and it was expected that UK would come out on fire.

The Bruins have had more success in the second half of games, so the UCLA response would be important. Well, it went in UCLA’s favor.

The Bruins had a great collective effort in beating Kentucky. Despite not scoring until right before half-time, Lonzo Ball turned up the activity in the second half and finished with 14 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. He facilitated and controlled the offense which paced themselves very well against Kentucky, especially late in the game when he knew when to slow the game down.

Isaac Hamilton had a team-high 19 points on some very aggressive plays as he went 7/13 from the field. TJ Leaf had another exceptional game with another double-double. Along with 17 points and 13 rebounds, he added 5 assist, 1 steal and 1 block.

Three other Bruins scored in double digits: Bryce Alford (14), Thomas Welsh (14) and Aaron Holiday (13).

Next: Lonzo Ball's Affect on UCLA

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This was a complete game. Though the Bruin defense was not stellar, it was enough to beat the seemingly unbeatable Wildcats. Now this is UCLA Basketball.