Unstoppable Powell Leads UCLA Over Colorado 72-59

Colorado started out hitting threes and then went 1-11 and could not score.   UCLA played well with some set threes by Isaac.  Kevon showed some moves and assists (Kevon was tied for the lead at half with three).  The defense was playing with energy.  Then two things happen.

Parker went out and came back only to go out quickly with 2 fouls.  This got Wesley Gordon going with rebounds, free throws, and a bucket.  Welsh looked lost on defense and all of the sudden Colorado led by Gordon started dominating the boards.  Next, Isaac Hamilton reminded Bruin fans he is not a point.  Isaac had a couple ugly turnovers and all the sudden Colorado was rolling with a lead.

UCLA came right back with some nice shots from Powell.  The first half UCLA led by 27-23.  A couple more notes.   Noah Allen had a couple nice hustle plays and GG had a shocking running hook for a basket.  Hamilton is proving he is a good set shooter and that is what he should stick to on offense. His defensive effort on Booker was pretty good though.  Bryce was shooting like a Storm trooper going 0-5 and got burned on D often including an ole to end the half.

Don MacLean may have summed the game at half time, "I wish you could say it was two great defenses but it was really two inept offenses."

The second half Bryce continued to play ugly starting out with multiple turnovers on his dreaded drives to nowhere.  Bill Walton rightly pointed out nothing good happens when he does that.  It was so bad Steve benched Bryce.

Then UCLA made a run.  Powell took over driving to the hoop.  Noah Allen playing for Bryce grabbed rebounds and played D.  Isaac also shockingly drove for a hoop.  A 9-2 run without Bryce and the game was effectively over.

Bryce came in and promptly turned it over but Colorado is so bad on offense that they missed layups and as Walton pointed out could barely inbound the ball.  Colorado went 2-17, turned the ball over 5 times in four minutes, and the game was over.  Steve took Bryce off the ball and he promptly scored a couple three to stretch the lead out to 21.

Some thoughts on this game.

1.        You have to wonder how we could lose to Colorado with as bad as their offense is without their big man Scott.  They are truly awful on offense.

2.       We made the run that won the game with Bryce benched.  Noah Allen by rebounding and playing D outplayed him in that stretch.

3.       Bill Walton made a great point.  "UCLA has the second most talent in the conference."  We see it in games like this.  UCLA had an advantage at every position except point guard.

4.       Powell was clearly the best player in the game.  Almost unstoppable driving to the hoop.

UCLA showed in this home stand they have the talent and should be capable of doing well in the PAC 12.  But can UCLA win on the road?  Need to do so to get to the NCAA tournament.

Go Bruins!