Poor play results in 80-71 UCLA loss to Missouri
Redshirt senior forward Travis Wear scored just two points on Saturday after going scoreless against UC Santa Barbara.
By Daily Bruin
Dec. 7, 2013 4:58 p.m.
UCLA men’s basketball has carved an identity with its offense early in the season.
Heading into Saturday’s matchup at Missouri, UCLA averaged 90.6 points per game, shot 55.3 percent and scored more than 80 points in all but one of its eight games.
But playing on the road against an undefeated Missouri team, UCLA was tested in more ways than one. After an early schedule that featured few challenging opponents, No. 18 UCLA (8-1) faced its first true challenge on Saturday and came up short, as its usually strong offense struggled during its 80-71 loss.
The Bruins shot just 37.7 percent in the game, struggling for the first time all year in their first loss. Sophomore guard Jordan Adams again led the team in scoring, but wasn’t his usual efficient self, taking 18 shots to get 22 points.
The ineffectiveness of Adams and his fellow back court players was trumped by the poor plays of the front court. Sophomore forward/center Tony Parker and redshirt senior forwards Travis and David Wear combined for seven points on 2-10 shooting.
The trio also had only seven combined rebounds in the game.
UCLA’s poor rebounding was paired with a strong rebounding game by Missouri (9-0), who out-rebounded UCLA 47-30. UCLA’s struggle on the boards became an issue for the Bruins in the second half in particular, as they were unable to secure the ball after the Tigers missed shots, allowing the home team to grab offensive rebounds and score on second chance opportunities.
As the Bruins’ offensive and rebounding play deteriorated in the second half, they watched their 43-35 halftime advantage become a 51-51 tie, then turn into an eventual 80-71 defeat.
The Bruins’ performance wasn’t completely negative however. Freshman guard Zach LaVine provided one of the few strong performances, scoring 13 points on 50 percent shooting and unleashing a highlight-worthy windmill dunk on a breakaway in the first half. LaVine’s shooting percentage was reduced by several off-balance three-point attempts he launched in the final minutes as the Bruins attempted to make a comeback.
UCLA will look to rebound from its loss on Saturday, Dec. 14 as it returns to Pauley Pavilion to face Prairie View A&M.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.
