TUCSON, Ariz. - Bryce Alford scored a game-leading 22 points as UCLA dropped a 57-47 decision to No. 7 Arizona before a sold-out crowd of 14,655 at McKale Center on Saturday night.
UCLA opened both the first and second halves on scoring runs but was unable to continue its momentum through the final minutes of each half. The Bruins (16-12, 8-7 Pac-12) raced to a 7-0 lead to start the game, holding Arizona scoreless over the first 6:05.
After falling behind by a 32-18 margin at halftime, UCLA opened the second half on a 17-0 scoring run to secure a 35-32 lead with 13:26 to play.
Gabe York scored a team-leading 13 points off the bench for the host Wildcats (23-3, 12-2 Pac-12), who moved a half-game ahead of Utah in first place in the Pac-12 standings. Dusan Ristic finished with 12 points off the bench and T.J. McConnell totaled 11 points and a game-high five assists.
Norman Powell finished with 11 points for the Bruins, and Kevon Looney netted 10 points to round out UCLA’s list of double-figure scorers.
Arizona closed the first half on a 19-5 scoring run to secure a 14-point cushion at halftime. UCLA’s strong second half run began with five straight points from Looney before Powell’s dunk closed the gap to 32-25 at the 16:50 mark.
Alford and Looney nailed back-to-back 3-pointers before Powell’s layup at the 14:29 mark gave UCLA a 33-32 cushion. The Bruins extended their advantage to 35-32 on a pair of free throw shots from Alford.
Arizona’s Stanley Johnson helped the Wildcats tie the game, 39-39, and take the lead when he converted two free throws with 9:32 to play. UCLA never was able to tie the game or take the lead from that point.
The Bruins reduced Arizona’s cushion to four points – 51-47 – with 1:36 to play before McConnell nailed a jump shot with 1:14 remaining.
UCLA will close its regular-season with three consecutive home games over the next two weeks. Next Wednesday, the Bruins will host Washington in Pauley Pavilion. Game time is 8 p.m.
The Box
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