Both the Bruins and Blazers came off of stunning, same score, one point victories in the 2nd round of the tournament and looked to edge the other for supremacy and a Sweet 16 coasting. Unlike the Battle for Atlantis game on Nov. 28, both teams were able to run full throttle today. That didn’t seem to help UAB much other than keeping them in the game until the last few minutes. They just couldn’t make UCLA turn the ball over or miss shots. When a team is on fire like that, it takes everything in a team to stifle it. UCLA advances in a high scoring contest, 92-75.
Impact Player
Every player on UCLA came together for this win, but the big standout is Tony Parker. The guy had a double-double to go along with a performance that could put a tear in your eye — 28 points and 12 rebounds. He dominated in the paint all game and was a force in the rebounding game that throttled UAB.
Strange, Yet True
With all five starters for UCLA scoring double digits, they did it with only hitting 5-of-9 (55.5 percent) from beyond the arc. This is funny because it is a better percentage than the Blazers free throw shooting, which was 5-of-10 all game. (50 percent) Out of 95 points, only 15 came from 3-point land for the Bruins.
Up Next
UAB finishes its tournament run at 20-16 while UCLA heads into the next round with some momentum. They will be facing the winner of Iowa and Gonzaga which plays Sunday on TBS at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Dorm Room Hoops 