Bryce Alford Is a Shooting Star As Bruins Set Team 3-Point Record

For this news roundup we lead and note that Ben Bolch continues to do a good job covering UCLA, even if this was an obvious story night. As the headline says: Bryce Alford is a shooting star in UCLA's victory over Colorado.

Alford made three three-pointers in the first three minutes of the second half, including one that he banked in while falling down, to help the fourth-ranked Bruins zip to a 104-89 victory at the Coors Events Center.

Alford tied a career high with nine three-pointers on the way to career-high 37 points for UCLA (17-1 overall, 4-1 Pac-12), which made a school-record 19 of 31 three-pointers (61.3%) and reached triple digits for the first time in conference play.

“I wanted him to get 40,” UCLA guard Lonzo Ball said. “He was one three off, so I told him to pull it.”

The end of the game saw Bryce shoot two tough three pointers in the effort to get 40. Really Bryce was an amazing 9-12 from three when it counted. Bryce continues his climb on the UCLA record books:

Alford has 1,687 career points, overtaking Marques Johnson (1,659 points, 1974-77) for 15th on UCLA's all-time scoring list. ... More Alford: The senior guard has hit 275 career 3-pointers. He trails only Jason Kapono (317, 2000-03) for most in school history.

Speaking of records, Steve Alford was not just a proud dad but also an “upset” Alford at his record being broken:

He made nine tonight and he made nine against SMU but one was a goaltending so I never really gave him credit for that, even though it did help us advance to the Sweet 16. He got me because the most I ever made as a player was eight. So I always thought I had him still. I wasn’t giving him the SMU you game yet but I have to give him this because he legitimately made nine tonight. But he shot it well, and all of our guys did, but he obviously got into a really good groove tonight.

While Bryce was having a career game, another senior was having his best game in weeks. There was other very good offensive news:

Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton emphatically emerged from the worst slump of his career, finishing with 20 points while making seven of 11 shots and four of five three-pointers. His third three-pointer of the second half gave the Bruins a 20-point lead.

It was sort of senior night for the Bruins:

Senior Isaac Hamilton, who struggled with his shot entering this game, found his rhythm in the second half.

Hamilton had made eight of his last 41 shots, before making a reverse layup in the first. The guard later made all four of his second-half shots and finished with 20 points and four rebounds.

“I had a three-game slump, but I think the game prior was a bounce back,” Hamilton said. “That just goes to show you that at any moment any guy can get hot. It opened the floor for Aaron (Holiday) and Lonzo. It’s hard for teams to guard that.”

As good as the seniors were, no one can ever forget how good Lonzo Ball is. Ball had three steals, played good D and oh:

Ball nearly had as many assists as the entire home team, putting up eight to facilitate his teammates and sinking shots of his own from well beyond the arc, often stifling the Colorado run.

As Nirya wrote this was some amazing team offense. Although it was the Alfords night, we are going to give the closing comment to Colorado Coach Tad Boyle:

"This is the best offensive team in the country," Colorado coach Tad Boyle said.

Congratulations, Bryce. Go Bruins!