Above all else, UCLA coach Ben Howland values preparation, but
this was one question for which even he was unprepared.
Twice he was asked if UCLA’s stunning 95-86 victory over
No. 12 Washington on Saturday night was the most significant of his
brief two-year tenure in Westwood, but neither time did he come up
with a definitive answer.
“Hard to say,” Howland said. “There’s no
question this was a great win for us, but I’d have to reflect
upon that some more.”
The scene at the final buzzer confirmed what Howland
wouldn’t.
At mid-court, forward Dijon Thompson pumped his fist in triumph.
A few feet away, guard Brian Morrison skipped along the sideline
looking for a teammate’s palm to slap. And all throughout
distinguished Pauley Pavilion, the 11,970 fans that witnessed the
Bruins roar back from a 21-point first-half deficit stood and
applauded, an unmistakable sign that the once-proud UCLA basketball
program may be on the verge of awakening again.
About an hour earlier, however, Pauley Pavilion was deathly
silent as the Huskies (13-2, 3-1 Pac-10) threatened to run UCLA
(9-3, 3-1) right out of its own gym.
So comprehensive was Washington’s first-half domination
that Howland said he felt fortunate to be within striking distance,
down 52-42 as the Bruins entered the locker room to regroup at
halftime.
The Huskies, paced by the free-wheeling dribble penetration of
guards Nate Robinson and Brandon Roy and the deadly perimeter
shooting of forward Tre Simmons and center Mike Jensen, built
first-half leads of 23-5 and 36-15. They overwhelmed UCLA with
their relentless defensive pressure, shot 67 percent from the field
in the first 20 minutes, and seemed to be on their way to securing
their first victory at Pauley Pavilion since 1987.
An inspired second-half defensive effort from the Bruins and the
steely nerves and feathery shooting touch of Morrison and Thompson
ensured that would not happen.
“Everybody changed,” Thompson said. “We as a
team changed. We stepped up, took it as a challenge, ran our
offense, played hard, played defense, and hit some big
shots.”
Few were bigger than Morrison’s final shot, a contested
jumper that put UCLA ahead for good at 87-85 with 2:35 remaining.
Equally significant was Thompson’s flurry of key second-half
baskets, many of which came in the midst of UCLA’s comeback
when he was falling away from the hoop or had a hand in front of
his face.
Thompson tied a career high with 29 points, converting eight of
his nine second-half shots. Morrison, a Washington native, was even
better, making all six of his shots in the final 20 minutes to
finish with 19 points, all in the second half.
“These guys never say die, they never quit,” Howland
said. “But our two seniors were spectacular, especially in
the second half.”
As good as Morrison and Thompson were, it was freshman center
Lorenzo Mata who tallied what may have been the game-clinching
basket. The 6-foot-8 Mata, the only one of UCLA’s four
freshmen to come off the bench, tipped in a Jordan Farmar miss with
25 seconds remaining to give the Bruins a 91-86 lead.
Once Morrison stole the ball in the lane from Robinson on the
ensuing possession, UCLA began celebrating its first victory over a
nationally ranked team in Howland’s 20-month tenure.
“We have tough kids who show a lot of heart and a lot of
character,” said Farmar, who had seven assists and two
turnovers in 34 minutes. “We hate to lose, and we’ll
fight you until the bitter end no matter what.”
The victory, UCLA’s third in a row, was their second
straight come-from-behind effort. The Bruins trailed Washington
State 50-34 midway through the second half Thursday night before
rallying to win in double overtime 80-77.
“I’m really excited that we have been able to battle
back,” Howland said. “This is becoming a mantra, but we
never say die, we never quit, and we never give up.”