Highlights from the 2017 NCAA Tournament Second Round matchup between the UCLA Bruins and Cincinnati Bearcats on Sunday night in Sacramento.
Lonzo Ball and the UCLA Bruins advanced to the Sweet 16 with a terrific offensive performance in a 79-67 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats on Sunday night in Sacramento.
The Bruins raced out to a quick 8-2 lead before Kevin Johnson buried three straight jumpers to key a 12-0 Bearcats run. Cincinnati held the high-powered UCLA offense to 2-of-8 shooting from deep in the first 10 minutes to build a 19-13 lead, and things only got worse for the Bruins when star T.J. Leaf picked up a pair of fouls over a span of 15 seconds.
Fortunately for UCLA, Ball got going with a huge triple to put the Bruins back up 27-26 at the 2:40 mark. Cincinnati rallied with Ā a pair of quick buckets in the final minute to take a 33-30 advantage into the break.
The Bearcats connected on 4-of-7 shots from long range as part of an efficient effort on the offensive end in the first 20 minutes, and held UCLAās dynamic offense to just 37.5 percent shooting from the floor. Only eight Cincinnati turnovers and seven points apiece from Ball and Thomas Welsh kept the Bruins within a possession.
Bryce Alford nailed a three to begin the second half, as the game really started to open up. Leaf scored his first six points of the game before Ball and Alford hit three straight long-range shots to put UCLA up 55-47 with just under 13 minutes to go.
The Bearcats suddenly went cold from the field, and Ball took advantage by finding Alford and Ike Anigbogu on a pair of beautiful passes to push the advantage to 10 heading into the under-8. Jarron Cumberland hit a number of key shots to at least keep the Bearcats in striking distance over the next few months, but Mick Croninās team appeared to be gassed by the breakneck pace of the Bruins.
Cincinnati got as close as seven before four straight from Leaf made it a 74-63 game as the clock ticked under three minutes. UCLAās offense could not be stopped down the stretch, as the Bruins closed out a comfortable 79-67 victory.
Five different Bruins scored at least 11 points, and UCLA shot over 60 percent in the second half. More importantly, the Bruins were able to string together a few stops in the second half and held Bearcats stars Troy Caupain and Kyle Washington to a combined 13 points.
Three Stars
3. Jarron Cumberland, G, Cincinnati.Ā Led the Bearcats with 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting with a number of makes in the second half that kept Cincinnati in the game.
2. Bryce Alford, G, UCLA.Ā Connected on four long-range shots to finish with 16 points, including Ā a crucial bucket to open the second half.
1.Ā Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA.Ā Played nearly flawless basketball in the second half, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and just one turnover.Ā
Highlights
Up Next
UCLA advances to the Sweet 16 to take on Kentucky on Friday night. The two teams met at Rupp Arena back on Dec. 3, with UCLA winning a 97-92 thriller.