Categoria: college-basketball

Selection Sunday Updates: Where Will UCLA, USC Be Seeded In NCAA Tournament?

by Vittorio Ferla 12 Marzo 2023 Comments0

Southern California is well-represented in the 2023 NCAA Tournament with UCLA, USC and San Diego State competing.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Camarillo High) and Tyger Campbell led UCLA to win the Pac-12 regular season championship but fell short of winning the Pac-12 Tournament championship, after a loss to the Arizona Wildcats in Las Vegas.

The Trojans finished 14-6 in conference play, finishing in a tie for second along with the Wildcats. The Trojans were eliminated from the conference tournament by Arizona State in the quarterfinals.

Matt Bradley (San Bernardino) and Lamont Butler (Riverside Poly) lead San Diego State to the Mountain West Tournament Championship. The conference’s top seed beat Utah State 62-57 on Saturday.

HOW TO WATCH: What: Selection Sunday (bracket released)

When: Sunday, 3 p.m. PT

TV: CBS (Ch. 2)

Tournament Schedule: First Four: March 14-15

First round: March 16-17

Second round: March 18-19

Sweet 16: March 23-24

Elite Eight: March 25-26

Final Four: April 1

NCAA championship game: April 3

Conference Tournament Champions (automatic tournament bids): American East: Vermont American Athletic: TBD Atlantic 10: TBD ACC: Duke ASUN: Kennesaw State Big 12: Texas Big East: Marquette Big Sky: Montana State Big South: UNC Asheville Big Ten: TBD Big West: UC Santa Barbara CAA: College of Charleston Conference USA: Florida Atlantic Horizon League: Northern Kentucky Ivy League: TBD MAAC: Iona MAC: Kent State MEAC: Howard Missouri Valley: Drake Mountain West: San Diego State Northeast: Fairleigh Dickinson Ohio Valley: Southeast Missouri State Pac-12: Arizona Patriot League: Colgate SEC: TBD Southern: Furman Southland: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi SWAC: Texas Southern Summit League: Oral Roberts Sun Belt: Louisiana West Coast: Gonzaga WAC: TBD

UMass Lowell’s Allin Blunt (15) looks to move against Vermont’s Robin Duncan (55) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the America East Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Vermont’s Dylan Penn (13) drives past UMass Lowell’s Brayden O’Connor (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the America East Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Vermont head coach John Becker celebrates with his team after defeating UMass Lowell in the NCAA college basketball game in the final of the America East Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Vermont players celebrate after defeating UMass Lowell during an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the America East Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

San Diego State guard Lamont Butler, right, tries to steal the ball from Utah State guard Max Shulga during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

San Diego State players and coach Brian Dutcher, bottom center, celebrate their victory over Utah State in an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Texas forward Christian Bishop cuts the net after Texas won the Big 12 Conference tournament championship NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Texas won 75-56. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

San Diego State guard Matt Bradley holds his MVP trophy as San Diego State celebrates a victory over Utah State in an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Interim Texas head coach Rodney Terry, bottom right, celebrates with his team after Texas won the Big 12 Conference tournament championship NCAA college basketball game against Kansas Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Texas won 75-56. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The Texas bench celebrates a basket during the second half of the NCAA college basketball championship game against Kansas in the Big 12 Conference tournament Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Interim Texas head coach Rodney Terry talks to his team during the second half of the NCAA college basketball championship game against Kansas in the Big 12 Conference tournament Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Texas guard Marcus Carr celebrates after making a basket during the second half of the NCAA college basketball championship game against Kansas in the Big 12 Conference tournament Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

San Diego State guard Micah Parrish, left, and guard Darrion Trammell celebrate after the team’s victory over Utah State in an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. San Diego State guard Lamont Butler is at right. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

San Diego State forward Jaedon LeDee (13) is congratulated by coaches after a basket against Utah State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Utah State guard Steven Ashworth (3) dives for the ball in front of San Diego State guard Micah Parrish (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

San Diego State guard Matt Bradley (20) drives past Utah State forward Dan Akin (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

San Diego State guard Micah Parrish, left, and forward Keshad Johnson celebrate the team’s win over Utah State in an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Mountain West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Texas Southern head coach Johnny Jones celebrates by cutting down the net after defeating Grambling State in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Texas Southern head coach Johnny Jones reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Grambling State in the championship of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Texas Southern players celebrate after defeating Grambling State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Texas Southern guard PJ Henry dribbles the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Grambling State in the championship of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

UC Santa Barbara players celebrate after a win over Cal State Fullerton in an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Big West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

UC Santa Barbara players celebrate their victory over Cal State Fullerton in an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Big West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

UC Santa Barbara guard Calvin Wishart, front, and Cal State Fullerton guard Tory San Antonio scramble for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the men’s Big West Tournament championship Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

Arizona players celebrate after defeating UCLA in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the men’s Pac-12 Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis holds up a piece of the net after the team’s win over UCLA in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the men’s Pac-12 Tournament on Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

UCLA guard Amari Bailey (5) drives to the basket between Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) and forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the men’s Pac-12 Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

Duke guard Tyrese Proctor (5) tries to hold on to the ball as Virginia guard Reece Beekman (2) reaches in during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Virginia guard Kihei Clark (0) shoots over Duke guard Jeremy Roach (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Duke guard Tyrese Proctor (5) shoots against Virginia guard Reece Beekman (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Arizona guard Courtney Ramey, center, celebrates alongside teammates after their win over UCLA in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the men’s Pac-12 Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

UCLA guard Amari Bailey pauses after the team’s loss to Arizona in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the men’s Pac-12 Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme celebrates with the net after the team defeated Saint Mary’s in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the West Coast Conference men’s tournament Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton, second left, celebrates with the championship trophy after the team defeated Saint Mary’s in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the West Coast Conference men’s tournament Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme celebrates with the Outstanding Player trophy after the team defeated Saint Mary’s in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the West Coast Conference men’s tournament Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg, forward Drew Timme and guard Julian Strawther, from left, celebrate after the team defeated Saint Mary’s in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the West Coast Conference men’s tournament Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Gonzaga celebrates after the team defeated Saint Mary’s in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the West Coast Conference men’s tournament Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg celebrates after the team defeated Saint Mary’s in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the West Coast Conference men’s tournament Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) drives to the basket against St. Mary’s forward Kyle Bowen during the first half an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the West Coast Conference men’s tournament Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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James H. Williams | Assistant Sports Editor – Digital James H. Williams joined the Southern California News Group in 2013 with a passion for sports, social media and journalism that has led to his role as an Assistant Sports Editor with an emphasis on digital content. When covering a local sporting event, he can be found roaming the sidelines and at the snack bar during halftime. Williams also covers the UCLA football team (since 2019), esports and other entertainment-related events for the group.

No. 13 Gonzaga Routs Loyola Marymount To Avenge Earlier Loss

by Vittorio Rienzo 17 Febbraio 2023 Comments0

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates their 108-65 victory over Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther handles the ball as Loyola Marymount guard Justin Ahrens defends during the first half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton shoots during the first half of their game against Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga forward Anton Watson shoots as Loyola Marymount forward Michael Graham defends during the first half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton handles the ball as Loyola Marymount guard Cam Shelton defends during the first half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton celebrates after making a shot during the first half of their game against Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis, right, shoots as Loyola Marymount guard Justin Ahrens defends during the first half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther, left, and Loyola Marymount guard Kwane Marble struggle to gain control of a loose ball during the first half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther drives against Loyola Marymount forward Alex Merkviladze during the first half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. Strawther scored 28 points and No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme, right, defends against Loyola Marymount forward Keli Leaupepe during the second half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga head coach Mark Few watches from the sideline during the second half of their game against Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis shoots as Loyola Marymount guard Kwane Marble defends during the second half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Loyola Marymount forward Alex Merkviladze, left, defends against Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman during the second half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme celebrates after making a shot during the second half of their game against Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga forward Colby Brooks shoots during the second half of their game against Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Loyola Marymount guard James Nobles defends against Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis during the second half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga center Efton Reid III shoots as Loyola Marymount forward Michael Graham defends during the second half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther (0) and teammates celebrate on the sideline after a shot during the second half of their game against Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gonzaga forward Abe Eagle shoots as Loyola Marymount forward Michael Graham defends during the second half on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Oklahoma City Thunder player Chet Holmgren, center right, celebrates with Gonzaga players after their 108-65 victory over Loyola Marymount on Thursday night at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion. No. 13 Gonzaga avenged an earlier loss. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES — Gonzaga had nearly a month to stew over its loss to Loyola Marymount, and the opportunity for payback finally arrived on Thursday night.

Julian Strawther scored 28 points and No. 13 Gonzaga avenged its earlier loss by routing the Lions, 108-65, at Gersten Pavilion.

LMU snapped Gonzaga’s 75-game home winning streak with a 68-67 victory on Jan. 19, but the Lions were no match this time. Six players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs as they led the entire game and opened a 51-point advantage less than six minutes into the second half.

According to STATS Perform, it was the largest road win by a Division I team in the last 40 years against a team they had lost to at home earlier in the season.

“Our defense was good, probably as good as we’ve been all year,” said Gonzaga coach Mark Few, whose team scored 68 points in the first half and shot 60% from the field for the night. “We kept our intensity, even in the second half. It is something we can really draw on moving forward.”

Anton Watson had 16 points and Drew Timme scored 13 for Gonzaga (22-5 overall, 11-2 WCC), which remained one game behind first-place Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference.

Cam Shelton, who made the game-winning basket in the first meeting, led LMU (17-11, 7-7) with 15 points. Keli Leaupepe had 13.

Strawther has scored at least 25 points in three of his past six games. The junior guard had 22 points in the first half as the Bulldogs built a 68-28 lead at halftime.

Gonzaga had an early 5-4 advantage before it took control with 20 consecutive points. Strawther had seven points during the run, including a four-point play and a dunk off an alley-oop after getting the pass from Malachi Smith.

“Ever since that first game, we had this one circled on the calendar. We wanted to return the favor,” Strawther said. “I’m glad that we dominated for 40 minutes. That was the big emphasis.”

The Lions were held scoreless for 5:14 before Jalin Anderson’s jumper in the lane ended the spurt. They committed six turnovers during the first six minutes of the game.

“I thought they threw the first punch and kept punching,” LMU coach Stan Johnson said of Gonzaga. “We never responded. They did a great job taking us out of our stuff, especially the pick-and-rolls. Once things got hard for us offensively, we let that affect our defense.”

The Bulldogs made 14 of their first 16 shots from the field and ran out to a 35-10 lead. Their largest advantage of the first half came on a dunk by Smith with three seconds remaining after he stole the ball from Shelton near midcourt.

It was the eighth time this season the Bulldogs scored at least 100 points. They lead the nation in offense, averaging 87.1 points per game.

“Certainly Loyola had our attention after what they did to us up in Spokane. But I hope we’re feeling that this thing is winding down and we’re getting closer (to the end of the regular season). We’ve got three games left now (until the conference tournament),” Few said.

BIG PICTURE Gonzaga: The Bulldogs extended their road winning streak against unranked foes to 41. They shot 40 of 66 from the field, marking the fifth time this season they have made at least 60%.

LMU: The Lions have two wins over top-15 teams for the first time in program history, but have dropped four of their past five.

UP NEXT Gonzaga remains in Southern California to face Pepperdine on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Loyola Marymount hosts Pacific on Saturday at 7 p.m. in its regular-season home finale.

Filed under College Sports college-basketball Sports

No. 4 UCLA Uses Spirited Second Half To Down Stanford

by pappa2200 17 Febbraio 2023 Comments0

UCLA guard Jaylen Clark, right, celebrates with Jaime Jaquez Jr. after making a 3-point shot during the second half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford forward Max Murrell, center, battles for a rebound against UCLA forward Adem Bona, left, and guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Tyger Campbell, left, passes the ball as Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud defends during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA forward Kenneth Nwuba dunks next to Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford guard Michael Jones, right, shoots while under pressure from UCLA guard Amari Bailey during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. drives past Stanford’s Harrison Ingram during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., right, is fouled by Stanford forward Spencer Jones during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA’s Tyger Campbell brings the ball up the court during the first half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Stanford guard Michael Jones shoots as UCLA forward Adem Bona defends during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA’s Adem Bona dunks during the first half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

UCLA’s Adem Bona celebrates after a play during the first half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud, left, shoots while under pressure from UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA’s Tyger Campbell looks to pass as Stanford’s Spencer Jones defends during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Stanford forward Brandon Angel, left, grabs a rebound next to UCLA forward Kenneth Nwuba during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. blocks a shot by Stanford’s Brandon Angel during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Stanford guard Michael O’Connell, left, shoots as UCLA guard Tyger Campbell defends during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA’s Adem Bona drives to the basket as Stanford’s Harrison Ingram defends during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Stanford coach Jerod Haase calls out a play to his team during the first half of their game against UCLA on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Stanford forward Harrison Ingram, right, shoots as UCLA guard Jaylen Clark defends during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA’s Amari Bailey drives to the basket as Stanford’s Brandon Angel defends during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., left, drives against Stanford guard Michael O’Connell during the first half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. Jaquez had a team-high 26 points and eight rebounds as the fourth-ranked Bruins rallied for a 73-64 win. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford’s Harrison Ingram, left, and Michael O’Connell celebrate a play during the first half of their game against UCLA on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. shoots as Stanford forward Brandon Angel defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford forward Harrison Ingram dunks next to UCLA guard Jaylen Clark during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin directs his players from the sideline during the second half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. gets to basket while under pressure from Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud, right, during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., left, goes to the basket as Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaylen Clark dunks during the second half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford guard Michael Jones, left, is defended by UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Tyger Campbell, right, shoots as Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaylen Clark dunks during the second half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford guard Michael Jones, right, handles the ball as UCLA guard Amari Bailey defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin yells from the sideline during the second half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard David Singleton, left, goes to the basket as Stanford forward Spencer Jones defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford forward Harrison Ingram shoots as UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin talks with guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the second half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaylen Clark shoots as Stanford forward Brandon Angel defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. handles the ball as Stanford forwards Maxime Raynaud (42) and Harrison Ingram, right, defend during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Stanford forward Harrison Ingram battle for the ball during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford head coach Jerod Haase directs his players from the sideline during the second half of their game against UCLA on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Tyger Campbell drives as Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud, left, defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. handles the ball as Stanford forward Brandon Angel defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. shoots as Stanford forward Brandon Angel defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin talks with guard David Singleton during the second half of their game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Tyger Campbell drives as Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. shoots while under pressure from Stanford forward Brandon Angel during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Stanford head coach Jerod Haase reacts to an official’s call during the second half of their game against UCLA on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. shoots as Stanford forward Brandon Angel defends during the second half on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

UCLA cheerleaders perform during a timeout in the second half of the Bruins’ game against Stanford on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

LOS ANGELES — Adem Bona tried to do it.

Amid a first half riddled with lackadaisical defense, scoring droughts of four and two minutes, and no trademark energy plays from Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Jaylen Clark, Bona tried to inject energy into the Bruins.

“Our attitude was way too cavalier,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “We were way too confident.”

The 6-foot-10 freshman center skied to block a shot, rejected the ball toward the UCLA bench and began to run after it with no regard for anything (or anyone) in his path. He leaped into his teammates trying to save the ball, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

UCLA fans recognized the effort, applauding Bona for his monster block and sacrificing play. But the injection didn’t take as UCLA meandered its way to a four-point halftime deficit.

In the second half, Dylan Andrews, who started the half in place of senior Tyger Campbell, tried what Bona did in the first half. It changed the trajectory of the game as fourth-ranked UCLA used a spirited second half to top Stanford, 73-64, on Thursday night in a Pac-12 Conference matchup at Pauley Pavilion.

Jaquez led the Bruins with 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting and a 9-of-11 effort from the free-throw line to go with nine rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes. Jaylen Clark added 16 points, six rebounds and three steals in 37 minutes. David Singleton and Tyger Campbell each scored eight points.

“This is my last year, and I realized I only have so many games left, so I’m going down swinging,” Jaquez said. “No matter what, I know my guys trust me and my coach trusts me. When they put the ball in my hands, I’m ready to make a play.”

“We did come in a little overconfident. Sometimes that happens. It was also good to get checked by Stanford in the first half and realize we’ve got to stay humble and composed. This is the time of year anything can happen. I said in the huddle, ‘We got an opportunity and let’s not mess this up.’”

UCLA (22-4 overall, 13-2 Pac-12) has now won 22 straight games at home, the longest streak in the country.

Andrews used a hesitation dribble to shake two defenders before converting an old-fashioned 3-point play at the beginning of the second half to spark an 8-0 run. It also sparked those trademark UCLA plays, too. Singleton hit a 3-pointer. Clark had a dunk and steal. Jaquez splashed a midrange jumper.

“He’s a dog,” Clark said of Andrews. “He reminds me of me, but way faster. I remember my freshman year, there were no plays for me, no telling how many minutes I’ll play each night, or even if I’d play. But he’ll get through it, it builds character.”

Andrews finished with three points and one assist in 14 minutes off the bench.

Stanford – which stunned then-No. 4 Arizona last week – went on a 12-0 run later in the half to go back in front 50-45, but UCLA battled back. Campbell hit a deep 3-pointer, which was followed by a coast-to-coast play from Clark that ended in a two-handed dunk for a 58-57 lead with 6:42 to play. The Bruins never relinquished the lead for the rest of the game.

“We’re getting closer to March, upsets happen all the time, we can’t take any steps back this time of the year,” Singleton said.

A Will McClendon 3-pointer, a pair of Singleton free throws and a Campbell jumper were pieces of a 7-0 run down the stretch that helped put the game away. UCLA made all eight of its free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Another indication of the two halves was UCLA’s deflection stats. The Bruins had just nine deflections in the first half and finished the game with 27. For Cronin, that stat reveals the team’s defensive effort, which was clearly better in the second half.

“That and the rebounds,” Cronin said. “We out-rebounded them in the second half.”

UCLA finished the game 16 for 25 from the free-throw line but had just seven turnovers and forced Stanford to turn the ball over 14 times.

“We weren’t ready for the fight,” Cronin said of his team’s sluggish first half, adding: “They dug it out tonight.”

Michael Jones scored 15 points to lead Stanford (11-15, 5-10), and Harrison Ingram added 13. Maxime Raynaud had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Spencer Jones, the Cardinal’s leading scorer at 13.7 ppg, was held to six.

The Cardinal had five players in foul trouble in the second half: Michael O’Connell, Michael Jones, Spencer Jones, Ingram and Raynaud. O’Connell fouled out in the closing seconds.

UP NEXT The Bruins will host struggling Cal on Saturday. The Bears were routed by USC, 97-60, on Thursday night.

No. 4 @UCLAMBB Survives 🙌

Bruins beat Stanford for 22nd consecutive win at Pauley Pavilion, the longest active streak in Division 1. pic.twitter.com/IeYthBP0ky

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) February 17, 2023

Filed under College Sports college-basketball Sports UCLA UCLA basketball UCLA Sports

Alexander: For UC Irvine, Another Dominant Night At UC Riverside’s Expense

by Vito Califano 12 Febbraio 2023 Comments0

UC Irvine forward Devin Tillis, left, and UC Riverside forward Lachlan Olbrich struggle to get control of a rebound during the first half of their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Riverside forward Vladimer Salaridze reaches to pull down a rebound during the first half of their Big West Conference game against UC Irvine on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Irvine guard Justin Hohn, right, takes a jump shot over UC Riverside guard Zyon Pullin during the first half of their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Riverside forward Lachlan Olbrich, left, keeps a rebound away from UC Irvine forward Akiva McBirney-Griffin during the first half of their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Riverside guard Zyon Pullin, right, drives around UC Irvine guard Pierre Crockrell II during their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Irvine guard Dawson Baker takes a jump shot during their Big West Conference game against UC Riverside on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Irvine guard Dawson Baker, right, puts up a shot past UC Riverside forward Vladimer Salaridze during the first half of their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Irvine forward Dean Keeler, center, protects the ball from UC Riverside forward Lachlan Olbrich, left, and forward Vladimer Salaridze, right, during their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Irvine guard Pierre Crockrell II, left, scores over UC Riverside forward Luke Turner during their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Surrounded by UC Irvine players, UC Riverside forward Lachlan Olbrich, center, loses control of the ball during their Big West Conference game on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Irvine forward JC Butler scrambles along the floor to grab a loose ball during their Big West Conference game against UC Riverside on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

UC Irvine forward Dean Keeler gestures after scoring during their Big West Conference game against UC Riverside on Saturday night at the Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

IRVINE — UC Irvine’s athletic nickname is, of course, the Anteaters. But to UC Riverside’s men’s basketball program, they might as be the white whale, the character in Moby Dick that was endlessly pursued but never caught.

Or maybe the Highlanders’ pursuit of UCI could be considered a Sisyphean task, with a boulder that they just can’t quite get up the mountain.

UCR and UCI came into Saturday night’s game at the Bren Events Center separated by a half-game in the Big West Conference standings. The gulf looked far more imposing after the Anteaters’ 83-64 victory, on a night when UCI shot 56.7% from the field, held UCR to 35.6%, and outscored the Highlanders 38-20 in the paint, 16-1 on fast-breaks and 22-6 in bench scoring.

This wasn’t a season-breaker, mind you. UCI is 10-3 in conference play (17-8 overall) and a game behind first-place UC Santa Barbara, with a chance to avenge an earlier loss to the Gauchos coming up Wednesday night in Santa Barbara. UCR is 9-5 and 16-10 and tied with Long Beach State for fourth place, with a rematch with LBSU coming up Wednesday night in Riverside.

But, with the conference tournament now four weeks away, in a one-bid league, the idea is to be building to a crescendo. UCR, with starting center Kyle Owens likely done for the season because of injury, needs everyone else at peak efficiency and had much less Saturday night, getting 22 points from Australian freshman Lachlan Olbrich and 12 from senior guard Zyon Pullin on 4-for-11 shooting.

For UCI, junior Dawson Baker scored 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting and fellow junior DJ Davis – from Riverside Poly, and thus one who got away from UCR – added 18 while going 6 for 11 with four 3-pointers. The Anteaters led 38-27 at halftime, broke it open with a 16-5 run early in the second half and led by 28 with 6:44 left.

“That felt like two years ago in the (Big West Tournament) semis (a 78-61 loss in Henderson, Nevada), and just the guys not understanding what it’s going to be like and really the forcefulness that you have to play this game against them,” UCR coach Mike Magpayo said. “That is their identity. So we didn’t meet that challenge.”

And, he added, “I was telling them for the last 48 hours what to expect and sharing with them and bringing the intensity this morning. It started in shootaround. Coach Magpayo was the most intense guy at shootaround. … I think that there needs to be some reflection as a program (to) decide if we’re willing to meet that challenge. If we’re not willing, that’s what it’s going to be like at the Dollar Loan Center.”

For the past five seasons, two under David Patrick and the last three under Magpayo, the Highlanders’ focus has been to build a roster capable of competing with the Anteaters and their trademark physicality and intensity.

UCI coach Russ Turner said he appreciates that sort of respect, but he also noted that the Anteaters have earned it. They’ve compiled a 259-166 overall record in the Turner era, with five regular-season Big West titles, six trips to the conference tournament championship game and two tournament titles since he took over in 2010.

“They’re not the only team in the league who’s trying to figure out how to be like what we’ve been,” Turner said. “You know, when I got the job, I went through the same thing. At that time, Long Beach and Santa Barbara were at the top. And we were trying to figure out what identity for us could be effective here. That’s the million dollar question in trying to build an identity for a college basketball team.”

In Turner’s first season at UCI, after assistant coaching positions at Wake Forest (under Dave Odom) and Stanford (Mike Montgomery) and six seasons as a Golden State Warriors assistant, the Anteaters were 13-19. The next, they were 12-20. In his third season, they were 21-16 and off to the races.

One of the constants at UCI through the Turner era has been defensive intensity, and it’s an interesting phenomenon in college basketball. There’s not a coach in the country who doesn’t preach the importance of defense, but how many actually follow through and make it clear that if you don’t defend, you don’t play?

“Yeah, we preach defense all day in practice,” UCI senior guard Pierre Cockrell said. “Free-throw rebounds is another thing that we’re preaching right now. We gave up a couple of those tonight, which we’ll go back to practice and work on and get better. But yeah, I think we’re a defensive team and when we come out and defend like that at a high level, I think we can win against anybody.”

This was a small sample size, of course. Then again, UCR has lost three of its last four and four out of six without Owens, a 6-foot-8 graduate transfer from Montana who had averaged 10 points, 5.6 rebounds and 24.4 minutes per game overall and 12.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in conference play but was injured on Jan. 19 at UC Davis. The Highlanders were 13-4 with him in the starting lineup, and without him, Olbrich and Jhaylon Martinez have gotten much of the big man minutes.

“We’ve been battling without him, but it makes a difference,” Magpayo said. “He ain’t going to be with us, so it doesn’t matter.”

But if UCI is going to be in the way, here are some sobering numbers for UCR: The Highlanders have now lost six straight to the Anteaters, since a victory in Riverside in February of 2021, and 16 of 17 dating to February 2015, another home victory. In the Turner era, UCI is 19-5 against UCR and hasn’t lost to the Highlanders in the Bren Center since December of 2010.

“I mean, we were really good tonight,” Turner said. “But there’s no way to expect this type of dominance over a team as good as Riverside is. Credit to Coach Magpayo and their staff and administration for where they’ve got that team right now. They’re a good team who had a tough night tonight. … We played really, really well, and I do like the fact that we were good both on offense and defense. But no, there was nothing normal about tonight as far as the way this game went against a quality team like Riverside.”

But from UCR’s vantage point, that white whale isn’t getting any smaller.

jalexander@scng.com

Filed under College Sports college-basketball Jim Alexander Sports UC Irvine Sports