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UCLA Basketball gets dammed by the Beavers, lose big to Oregon State

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Murry Bartow of the UCLA Bruins on the sideline during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Murry Bartow of the UCLA Bruins on the sideline during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA basketball team shoots a paltry 38.1% and falls flat on their face in Corvallis as the Bruins cannot get past Oregon State.

I’ve been writing about how the UCLA basketball team has been finishing games as they fight, fight, fight their way to the last buzzer. That was not the case in Corvallis as a veteran-laden Oregon State team dominated most of the game to give the Bruins their first loss in Pac-12 play.

Just like their game against Oregon, the UCLA Bruins (10-7, 3-1) were sloppy, selfish and generally out of sync. The only thing that kept them in the game was the fact that Oregon State mirrored the Bruins’ productivity early on.

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Both teams shot well under 50% by the break, with the Beavers hanging onto a 32-26 lead at halftime.

UCLA did have a burst of energy to start the second half as they went on a 17-9 run, taking their first lead of the game five minutes into the second half, but that quickly faded as Oregon State was patient, took great shot selection, and pounced on every missed UCLA shot, which was a lot.

The Bruins, who shot 38.1% for the game, could not make a basket to save their lives after ten minutes passed in the second half.

The Bruins were taking way too many shots too early in their possessions, they were forcing everything they were putting up, there was no inside presence, and they were not looking for the extra man, pass or failed to rotate.

It was as if Steve Alford was back in charge.

Kris Wilkes had another bad game as he was missing shots from both outside and underneath the rim. Though he finished the game with 21 points, it was off of 8/22 shooting with a handful of baskets coming late in the game when it was all wrapped up for Oregon State.

Jaylen Hands was also quiet in this game. He finished the game with only 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. The sophomore point guard was not able to get his team in a groove which contributed to their downfall late in the game.

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If UCLA wants to make a run at the Pac-12 championship, they need to find a way to play together. The return of “Me Ball” does them no favors and if it continues, it will be their downfall.