UCLA men’s basketball had some unexpected news before its game against Sacramento State tonight.
Redshirt senior forward Travis Wear, who coach Steve Alford had anticipated could be ready to return by tonight, hung back from the layup line, instead standing on the sidelines in a track suit, out for the game.
Things didn’t go completely according to plan in the first half either, as UCLA struggled to gain separation on Sacramento State before eventually pulling ahead and finishing the half with a 36-23 advantage.
Both teams got off to a slow start, shooting a combined one of 10 to start.
UCLA started to gain some momentum after the cold start, with its quick hands on defense fueling easy points on offense. In one instance, junior guard Norman Powell stole the ball and tossed it ahead to sophomore guard/forward Kyle Anderson, who promptly returned the ball to Powell for a wide-open breakaway dunk.
But the Bruins’ success on defense didn’t last. Sophomore forward/center Tony Parker goaltended a three-pointer by Sacramento State junior guard Dylan Garrity on a play that was initially called a shot clock violation. That basket cut UCLA’s lead to 8-7.
Minutes later, freshman guard Bryce Alford struggled to fight his way around a screen, leaving Garrity wide open to drain another three and take a 10-9 lead. Sophomore guard Jordan Adams responded with a three-pointer of his own just seconds later.
UCLA was unable to pull away through the first 10 minutes, following its nice offensive plays with some defensive lapses.
The Bruins finally began gaining some separation in the second part of the half. A short hook shot by redshirt senior forward David Wear on one possession followed by a tip-in by Wear on the next possession pushed UCLA’s lead to seven.
Bryce Alford partially made up for his earlier defensive miscues by hitting a three-pointer to increase UCLA’s lead to 30-21 with 3:45 left. That lead eventually blossomed to double digits in the final minutes of the half, punctuated by a free throw from freshman guard Zach LaVine with seven seconds left to send the Bruins into the break with a 13-point lead. UCLA finished the half on a 16-6 run, building momentum heading into the second half.