UCLA leads Tulsa 35-30 at halftime
By Daily Bruin
March 21, 2014 9:13 p.m.
SAN DIEGO—The Bruins aren’t in Austin anymore.
A year after a lackluster second-round showing against Minnesota ended an up-and-down 2012-2013 season at University of Texas’ Frank Erwin Center, UCLA ran, rebounded and did just about everything it didn’t last year to race to a 35-30 halftime lead over No. 13 seed Tulsa.
An effective early mid-range jumper game from redshirt senior forwards David and Travis Wear pushed the Bruins to a 10-5 lead in the opening minutes. Tulsa responded, scoring five straight points to tie the game 10 apiece with 13:14 remaining.
Throughout the half, UCLA ran the ball effectively to keep Tulsa off balance. Despite making just eight of their first 21 field goals, the Bruins mitigated the Golden Hurricane’s damage by turning the ball over just five times on the half and effectively navigating the glass. Sophomore forward/center Tony Parker laid in a third-chance UCLA basket and sank an ensuing free throw to give the Bruins a 26-17 lead with 6:02 to play.
But turnovers from the Bruins, two on travels by sophomore guard/forward Kyle Anderson in three UCLA possessions in the closing minutes, allowed the Golden Hurricane to claw their way back into the contest. Tulsa guard James Woodard slammed home a dunk with 1:37 to play to even the tally at 30-all. Anderson then hit a fadeaway jumper and drew a foul less than 20 seconds later.
Sophomore guard Jordan Adams and Anderson each pitched in with eight points, Anderson adding a team-high four rebounds and three assists. Woodard leads Tulsa with 10 points and four rebounds.
UCLA is shooting 38 percent from the field to Tulsa’s 39 percent.
Compiled by Andrew Erickson, Bruin Sports senior staff.
