UCLA Basketball: Reliving the 2006 NCAA Tournament game vs. Gonzaga

Reliving the 2006 NCAA Tournament game vs. Gonzaga (cont.)

The second half started out a bit more favorably for the Bruins. Collison and Mbah a Moute were playing a bit more aggressive around the rim as they fronted an 11-4 run, bringing the score to 46-40 in favor Gonzaga. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs still had some bite in them as they went back up by 10, 50-40.

Behind Batista and Morrison, Gonzaga continued the double-digit push with a 57-43 lead with just over eight minutes to go in the second half. Every Bulldog basket drove the knife closer and closer toward UCLA’s heart, but the Bruins held them back, slowly turning the blade on Gonzaga.

The Bruins and Bulldogs traded baskets up until about three and a half minutes left in the game when Gonzaga took a 71-62 lead. The Bruin faithful had just about given up hope, but the Bruins did not. They continued to fight, fight, fight like no one had seen from a Bruins team in a long time.

With a chance to increase the lead, Gonzaga missed a three pointer. On the next possession, Mbah a Moute was fouled and went to the line and made two free throws, which was followed by a layup from the freshman, which was then followed by Farmar draining a crucial two, bringing the score to 71-68 with 40.8 seconds left.

Gonzaga was in a serious drought, failing to score for two and a half minutes. After another missed shot in their end, Batista fouled UCLA’s senior center Ryan Hollins and put him at the line, making both and bringing the score to within one, 71-70. And then this happened…