UCLA Cruises To Win Over ASU 78-65

UCLA finally won one of their must-win games.

Tonight, the Bruins downed Arizona State by a score of 80-65.

UCLA started rather quickly as they jumped out to 12-5 lead in the first five minutes of the game. But ASU roared back to tie it at 23-23 by hitting five three pointers in the first 11 minutes. Andre Spight's three pointer for the Sun Devils put them ahead 26-23 with eight and a half to go in the half.

The game stayed close for the remainder of the first half with no team having more than a three point lead to close out the first half and the Bruins took a two point lead into the locker room 37-35.

The only way the Sun Devils were able to keep it that close was by hitting seven three-pointers during the first half.

After the break, the Sun Devils came out and almost immediately took the lead on a Tra Holder three-pointer which made it 38-37 ASU.

UCLA answered that with two three-pointers of their own by Aaron Holiday and Jonah Bolden and that was the start of a 13-4 run that gave the Bruins a 50-42 lead with less than 13 minutes to play. During that run, the Bruins held ASU without a field goal for five and a half minutes.

The Bruin defense would shine for the remainder of the game as they held ASU without a field goal for almost another five minutes as they went on an 13-4 run which gave them a 15-point lead with less than five minutes to go.

And, finally, for good measure, they held ASU without a field goal for another three minutes following Kodi Justice's layup with a little more than four and a half minutes to go. When Obinna Oleka finally added another field goal for ASU, they were still down 15 points 73-58 with a minute and a half to go.

But, even then, the Bruins didn't allow the Sun Devils to close the gap much as the final score was 78-65 giving UCLA a well-deserved 13-point victory and a much-needed victory.

The win moves the Bruins to 5-7 in the Pac-12 and 14-11 overall.

Andre Spight of ASU led all scorers with 21 points while Jonah Bolden led the Bruins with 16 points. Isaac Hamilton and Prince Ali both finished with 12. But the stat of the game belongs to Bryce Alford who recorded 11 assists while posting 10 points, giving him a double-double.

The Bruins will host Utah and Colorado at home next weekend.

Go Bruins!!!