UCLA avoids collapse to Western Kentucky
By Andrew Bagnato, Associated Press
Originally published 09:55 p.m., March 27, 2008
Updated 12:24 a.m., March 28, 2008
Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press
UCLA's James Keefe, left, and Russell Westbrook pressure Western Kentucky's Tyrone Brazelton on Thursday night.
- Email this
- Print this
- Comments
- Change text size
- Subscribe to print edition
- iPod friendly
UCLA can make a double-figure victory look difficult.
With Kevin Love scoring a career-high 29 points, the Bruins nearly frittered away a 21-point halftime lead and hung on to beat Western Kentucky 88-78 in the NCAA West Regional on Thursday night.
Top-seeded UCLA (34-3) will play No. 3 seed Xavier on Saturday for a trip to its third consecutive Final Four.
The Bruins were more relieved than happy to survive the Hilltoppers, who took advantage of UCLA's sloppy play to pull to four points late in the game.
"Unacceptable, unacceptable, unacceptable," Love said. "That's all I can say. It was unacceptable the way we played in the second half. If we're going to keep playing like that, we're not going to be in this tournament very long."
The Bruins routed overmatched Mississippi Valley State in the first round but haven't resembled a No. 1 seed since. They sweated out a two- point victory over Texas A&M in the second round.
"That was another exciting game for all the Bruin fans out there," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "We want to keep you guys awake and on the edge of your seat."
Without Love, the Bruins would be in hibernation. Love had 14 rebounds and hit 10-of-14 shots.
Tyrone Brazelton scored 31 points - 25 in the second half - and Courtney Lee added 18 for 12th-seeded Western Kentucky (29-7).
Comments
Post your comment (Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.