This post was updated on March 21 at 11:16 a.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three weeks ago, UCLA and the University of Alabama-Birmingham were considered long shots to reach the NCAA tournament. Now, one of them is just a half away from being one of 16 teams left with a shot at the national championship.
Tony Parker and the Bruins dominated down low in the first half, as UCLA enters halftime ahead of UAB 46-37.
The junior forward/center led all scorers with 19 points to go with six rebounds.
After totaling just three points in the Bruins’ win Thursday, Parker scored five of UCLA’s first seven points as the two teams entered the first media timeout deadlocked 7-7 with 15:56 to play in the period.
The Bruins attacked down low early, as its first five baskets came in the paint, before freshman center Thomas Welsh hit a jumper from the right corner to cut UAB’s lead to 14-13.
The two teams seem to trade roles from two days ago as it was the Blazers with the hot shooting hand early, while the Bruins opted to attack inside.
The Blazers controlled the flow of the game early on as redshirt junior guard Robert Brown connected on his first four baskets for 10 quick points.
Despite connecting on just 16.1 percent of shots from 3-point range against Iowa State, UAB showed little hesitation in pulling the trigger from deep, as the Blazers hit 6-10 from outside and shot 50 percent for the half.
It took the Blazers nearly 12 minutes to record their first offensive rebound Saturday after recording 19 Thursday. By halftime, UCLA had an 8-2 advantage on the offensive glass and a 21-8 rebound advantage overall.
The Bruins repeatedly asserted themselves inside in the final 10 minutes of the game, scoring seven of eight baskets in the paint during a stretch. UAB had little answer for UCLA’s penetration inside, as the Bruins’ guards regularly fed Parker inside. The junior forward/center scored six consecutive points before UAB called time out down 37-31 with a little over four minutes remaining.
The break slowed the game down for both squads as each added six points before sophomore guard Bryce Alford connected on his first 3 of the game to push UCLA’s lead to nine.
Brown led UAB with 15 points on 6-7 shooting while freshman forward William Lee added 10 points.
Compiled by Jordan Lee, Bruin Sports senior staff.