The California Golden Bears (7-9, 2-7 Pac-12) had their upset bid against the No. 24 UCLA Bruins (12-2, 8-0 Pac-12) extinguished in the last 8.9 seconds of regulation.
UCLA pulled away to extend a manageable two-point lead behind two perfect free throws from sophomore guard Johnny Juzang. Juzang, the recent transfer to UCLA from the Kentucky Wildcats, contributed nine points, four rebounds and two blocks to help down the Golden Bears, 61-57, in Haas Pavilion Thursday night.
California had a one-point lead, 55-54, with four minutes remaining in regulation after senior Grant Anticevich drained his fifth three-pointer.
Anticevich had a game-high 21 points, including a perfect five-for-five record from downtown. The California forward also added three rebounds, three assists and one steal.
But UCLA gained the advantage with a 5-0 run, keeping California in a scoring drought for the next 3 minutes and 47 seconds.
The visiting Bruins limited the Golden Bears' shooting, and the home side's offensive production dropped from 58.3% in the first half to a low of 30% in the second half.
Other notable contributions for the Golden Bears include nine points from sophomore guard Jarred Hyder and eight points from graduate transfer guard Makale Foreman.
It was a real solid effort v an undefeated-in-P12 UCLA squad that blew us out in Pauley. The Bears got bit by the talent gap today, as sans Bradley the Bruins roster is just much better and they executed, which Cal did not. Refs let them play in 2nd half, which was nice to see. Imagine if the 2 senior G’s Betley & Foreman had not gone 3-18 combined from the floor, or if your team could grab a f#$&@$* rebound on the defensive end.
Overall good performance though we struggled in the last few minutes
It was a real solid effort v an undefeated-in-P12 UCLA squad that blew us out in Pauley. The Bears got bit by the talent gap today, as sans Bradley the Bruins roster is just much better and they executed, which Cal did not. Refs let them play in 2nd half, which was nice to see. Imagine if the 2 senior G’s Betley & Foreman had not gone 3-18 combined from the floor, or if your team could grab a f#$&@$* rebound on the defensive end.
More minutes for Celestine please...
I hoped Hyder would be better...he can play in this league but is more a back-of the rotation guy right now...sigh.
And Thiemann can not play in this league.
Nope, neither will ever be better than average in P12
MID SZN PUSH