Bruins sleepwalk through second half

Monday, January 26, 1998

Bruins sleepwalk through second half

M.BASKETBALL UCLA’s stellar first half boosts team to 88-82 win
against Louisville Cardinals

By Emmanuelle Ejercito

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

It is a story that has been told many times before.

The No. 9 UCLA men’s basketball team played a spectacular first
half – shooting 68.8 percent from the field, committing only seven
turnovers and dishing out 13 assists.

At intermission, the Bruins (15-3 overall) held a 52-34 lead
over non-conference foe Louisville before a Super Bowl Sunday crowd
of 10,059 at Pauley Pavilion.

But just as it has been in many previous games, the second half
would be a whole different chapter for UCLA. The Bruins turned the
ball over 15 times, giving the Cardinals (8-11) a chance to extend
their winning streak over UCLA to three. Louisville would cut the
lead to five with 1:14 left before succumbing 88-82.

"In the second half we didn’t sustain our play with the same
kind of energy level," UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said. "I was
concerned that their minds would be on the Super Bowl, especially
with the 20 point lead."

Another reoccurring theme for the Bruins is the outstanding play
of forward J.R. Henderson. The senior raised his lottery status in
the nationally televised game.

"J.R. again comes up big, he’s just a tremendous player," Lavin
said. "J.R is going to take what the defense gives him … well,
(Sunday) they were leaving him open and he went to work. In single
coverage he’s as tough as anybody in the country because of his
versatility."

Henderson was nine of 10 from the field in the first half as he
scored 21 points. He ended the game with a career high 32 points
and shot 13 of 17 including a three pointer from the right side. He
also had eight rebounds to accompany his offensive blitz.

"I was just trying to stay active, trying to move with the
ball," Henderson said. "In previous games, I’ve been standing a lot
so I didn’t get many touches or opportunities. So I started moving
and I got the ball a lot."

However, not all things were deja vu for the Bruins. Freshman
Travis Reed saw significant minutes for the first time since the
New Mexico game on Dec. 6. Despite his rookie status, Reed stayed
in the game during crunch time in the waning minutes.

"Travis played well the other night, he played well in practice
and we rewarded him with more playing time," Lavin said. "I think
Travis has earned his stripes."

Reed scored seven points in his 14 minutes of play. He also
earned accolades from veteran teammates.

"Travis is getting a lot better," Henderson said. "He’s doing a
lot of things right. He’s not coming in and making a lot of
mistakes. I think that he plays well off the bench and I think
that’s what we need – someone to contribute off the bench."

Senior Toby Bailey recorded his second double-double of the
season with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

"Bailey’s rebounding late in the game put the dagger in
Louisville," Lavin said.