In UCLA’s first real test at home this season, the Bruins are getting more than they can handle after a turnover-plagued first half of play.
UCLA put together one of its sloppiest halves of the season, turning the ball over nine times, and finds itself trailing No. 9 Gonzaga 38-27 at the break.
Forward Kyle Wiltjer scored nine of the Bulldogs’ first 13 points, and Gonzaga built an early 20-10 lead over the first ten minutes.
Meanwhile, UCLA struggled to get anything going offensively to start the game, missing seven of its first nine shots.
The Bruins were careless with the ball and had as many turnovers as field goals over the first 13:45 of play, with six each.
Gonzaga controlled the tempo on both ends of the floor as the Bulldogs found a rhythm early and shot 58.6 percent for the half. UCLA hit just five of its first 20 shots and shot 32.3 percent from the field through the initial period.
But while the Bruins’ offense stagnated, its defense went to work, forcing the Bulldogs into eight turnovers of their own and holding them scoreless for a stretch of 2:45 as UCLA halved a 28-16 deficit.
However, Gonzaga responded with its own concerted defensive effort, and repeatedly attacked inside to extend its lead to double digits at the break.
Freshman forward Kevon Looney leads the Bruins with nine points, while Wiltjer paces all scorers with 14.
Compiled by Jordan Lee, Bruin Sports senior staff.