UCLA handles Abilene Christian 67-47 to claim spot in Sweet 16

The UCLA Men’s basketball team continued to build on their early tournament momentum but toppling No. 14-seeded Abilene Christian in the Round of 32 by a score of 67-47 on Monday afternoon. The Bruins seemingly handed the Wildcats from start finish, holding at one point a 24-point lead late in the second half.

UCLA was led offensively by sophomore guard Johnny Juzang, who finished with a game-high 17 points. Junior forward Cody Riley and sophomore guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. also chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively. Riley also brought down 12 rebounds, nothing the team’s only double-double of the game.

The Bruins’ executed a stifling defense all game, relegating the Wildcats’ starters to a combined 29 points. Reserve guard Mahki Morris led the team with 14 points off the bench while starters Kolton Kohl and Coryon Mason each had eight. Senior guard Reggie Miller (no relation) led the team in both rebounds (seven) and assists (eight).

The Wildcats’ biggest lead of the night came early at four points just five minutes into the game. Abilene Chrisitian’s offense proceeded to go through a rough patch of missed layups and frustrating turnovers which led to the Bruins going on a 15-0 run during a nine-minute scoreless streak for ACU.

UCLA will go from facing a bottom-seeded team to one of the tournament’s best in No. 2-seed Alabama. The game is scheduled for Sunday, March 28 at 4:15 p.m. PT in Indianapolis.