Cheers — Norman Powell scores a season-high 21 (17 in the 2nd half) and spurs a 14-0 2nd half spurt to help UCLA overcome a 10-point deficit and BeatSC 83-73, completing a season sweep over the lowly trojans
In a deviation from the norm, UCLA struggled in the 1st half and found themselves in the 2nd half. After three straight games where the Bruins tailed off after Halftime, they turned it around on Saturday night at the Galen Center. They fell behind the pathetic trojans by 10 points in the 1st half, by shooting a horrible percentage from the floor, and allowing Byron Wesley to pour in 18 points before intermission. The last-place trojans still led by 6 at the break.
But UCLA Head Coach Steve Alford tore into his team in the locker room, and his players responded, led by Norman Powell. Norm got a baseline driving dunk, and hit two three’s to key a 14-0 run that put the Bruins in control. The trojans hung tough, though, despite falling down by 16. They were able to get as close as 7 down the stretch, but Powell came up with a couple of steals and a transition lay-up after one of those steals to keep the Condumbs at bay.
Of course Powell did not do it all by himself — Superstar Point Guard Kyle Anderson engineered the whole thing as always, controlling the game with a near-triple-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Jordan Adams rebounded from his worst game ever, scoring 17.
So with the win, UCLA remains alone in 2nd place in the Conference, and looking pretty solid for an NCAA Tournament berth. But if you are a UCLA fan, and your team struggles with an awful u$c squad, you shouldn’t be reserving a flight to the Final Four any time soon. That being said, I’m just glad the Bruins were able to avoid the unthinkable, where a loss would have had many fans questioning the ability of Alford as a Coach.