UCLA men’s basketball loses to Colorado 62-56
By Matt Joye
Jan. 2, 2015 11:34 p.m.
Though the end result was the same, the narrative was a bit different for the UCLA men’s basketball team on Friday night.
Unlike in their previous three losses, the Bruins weren’t plagued by a first-half scoring drought. Instead, they were plagued by two second-half scoring slumps that turned their leads into deficits and eventually a 62-56 defeat at Colorado.
With a 43-37 lead at the 10:45 mark in the second half, the Bruins looked to be in control. They had outscored the Buffaloes 16-9 to start the period, and had taken the air out of a near-capacity crowd at Coors Events Center. But then Colorado fought for inside baskets, while the Bruins began to settle more and more for perimeter jumpers.
The Buffaloes (8-5, 1-0 Pac-12) mounted an 11-0 scoring run, which was catalyzed by Colorado forcing the ball into the painted area. Eight of Colorado’s 11 points during the stretch came off of two dunks, a layup and a tip-in, while the remaining three points were created by Colorado players who drew shooting fouls inside the key.
Meanwhile, the Bruins (8-6, 0-1) went for nearly four minutes without scoring or even getting a shot attempt from a post player inside the key. When UCLA finally scored again to cut Colorado’s lead to 48-45, it was freshman forward Kevon Looney who dunked the ball through the net. Sophomore guard Bryce Alford would then drive the ball inside on the next two possessions, drawing shooting fouls both times, and making all four of his free throws to put UCLA back ahead 49-48 at the 5:47 mark.
But then came another Buffalo attack inside, and it would be too much for the Bruins to overcome.
Colorado responded to UCLA’s 6-0 burst with a 10-2 rally that was once again ignited by the Buffaloes getting the ball in the paint. Colorado forward Wesley Gordon drew three fouls against UCLA post players, leading to six made free throws.
UCLA countered that inside play by taking and missing three 3-pointers on the other end, with a layup by senior guard Norman Powell producing the Bruins’ only two points during the four-minute Buffalo stampede. The Colorado run was eventually capped off by a slam dunk from guard Jaron Hopkins, putting the Buffs ahead 58-51 with 2:04 to go.
UCLA made a push late, but its 6-26 performance from beyond the arc was simply not sufficient to overcome a seven-point deficit in the final two minutes.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.
