UCLA defeats Tulsa 76-59

UCLA guard Norman Powell dunks the basket while playing against Tulsa during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 21, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

UCLA leads Tulsa 35-30 at halftime

Mar 21 2014 9:13 PM | Daily Bruin

SAN DIEGO—The Bruins aren’t in Austin anymore.

A year after a lackluster second-round showing against Minnesota ended an up-and-down 2012-2013 season at University of Texas’ Frank Erwin Center, UCLA ran, rebounded and did just about everything it didn’t last year to race to a 35-30 halftime lead over No. 13 seed Tulsa.

An effective early mid-range jumper game from redshirt senior forwards David and Travis Wear pushed the Bruins to a 10-5 lead in the opening minutes. Tulsa responded, scoring five straight points to tie the game 10 apiece with 13:14 remaining.

Throughout the half, UCLA ran the ball effectively to keep Tulsa off balance. Despite making just eight of their first 21 field goals, the Bruins mitigated the Golden Hurricane’s damage by turning the ball over just five times on the half and effectively navigating the glass. Sophomore forward/center Tony Parker laid in a third-chance UCLA basket and sank an ensuing free throw to give the Bruins a 26-17 lead with 6:02 to play.

But turnovers from the Bruins, two on travels by sophomore guard/forward Kyle Anderson in three UCLA possessions in the closing minutes, allowed the Golden Hurricane to claw their way back into the contest. Tulsa guard James Woodard slammed home a dunk with 1:37 to play to even the tally at 30-all. Anderson then hit a fadeaway jumper and drew a foul less than 20 seconds later.

Sophomore guard Jordan Adams and Anderson each pitched in with eight points, Anderson adding a team-high four rebounds and three assists. Woodard leads Tulsa with 10 points and four rebounds.

UCLA is shooting 38 percent from the field to Tulsa’s 39 percent.

Compiled by Andrew Erickson, Bruin Sports senior staff.

UCLA defeats Tulsa 76-59

Mar 21 2014 10:53 PM | Daily Bruin

SAN DIEGO—No. 4 seed UCLA defeated No. 13 seed Tulsa 76-59 in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday at Viejas Arena.

Sophomore guard Jordan Adams scored 21 points – 13 in the second half – for the Bruins, while junior guard Norman Powell added 15 points on five-of-12 shooting.

UCLA led with just 35-30 at the half, but struck with its fast-paced transition offense after the break, igniting a 10-2 run in the opening 3:51 of the second half.

The Bruins shot 46 percent from the field and stymied the smaller, more slender Golden Hurricane squad, allowing Tulsa to convert on just 21 of its 57 field goal attempts.

Tulsa guard James Woodard dunked with just under two minutes to go in the first half to tie the game at 30 apiece, but the Golden Hurricane never managed to take the lead beyond a 3-2 advantage in the opening minute. Woodard scored 11 points in 38 minutes, while forward D’Andre Wright led all Tulsa scorers with 18 points.

UCLA will take on No. 12 seed Stephen F. Austin Sunday for a spot in the South regional semifinals in Memphis.

Compiled by Andrew Erickson, Bruin Sports senior staff.