UCLA Falls to BYU, 78-63, in Maui Opener. Drops to 4-2 for season.

Highlights Extended V from Matthew Loves Ball

From Jeff Siegal


Game recap from uclabruins.com

LAHAINA, Hawai'i – Sophomore Jules Bernard scored a team-high 16 points as the UCLA men's basketball team lost to BYU, 78-63, in a Maui Jim Maui Invitational first-round game on Monday night at the Lahaina Civic Center.
 
The Bruins will return to action Tuesday at 2 p.m. (PT), facing Chaminade University at the Lahaina Civic Center. UCLA's game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
 
Sophomore Cody Riley added 12 points for the Bruins (4-2). Freshman Tyger Campbell finished with 11 points, while senior Prince Ali tallied 10.
 
"Give BYU credit," said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach. "We couldn't finish the game. We're a young team, still figuring it out, finding our way. But they made it hard on us. I think that you have got to always give the other team credit. Obviously, not happy with our defensive effort, but they have a lot to do with that. In the last nine minutes, they did a tremendous job of putting us on defense for 30 seconds, [and] a couple times we didn't get crucial rebounds that broke our back."
 
Bernard and Riley each totaled six rebounds to lead the Bruins, who held an overall advantage of 28-26 on the boards. Junior Chris Smith dished out a game-high six assists.
 
BYU (4-2) made 31 of 50 shot attempts, shooting 62 percent from the field. In addition, the Cougars made 9 of 18 shots from 3-point range against UCLA.
 
The first half saw the Bruins and Cougars alternate 7-0 runs, the latter of which gave BYU a 34-28 lead with 2:39 to go. The Cougars converted 15 of their 23 shot attempts, with Kolby Lee sinking 4 of 5 shots for nine early points. UCLA remained in striking distance by creating second-chance opportunities, with seven offensive rebounds and four steals. Ali matched Lee's nine points while Bernard added eight for the Bruins.
 
UCLA held a 52-51 lead with 11:19 remaining in the game, only to have BYU answer by scoring the game's next 10 points. BYU used an 11-0 run, extending the margin to as many as 20 points with 1:54 to play.
 
Three Cougars scored in double figures, led by Jake Toolson (20 points). TJ Haws added 15 points while Lee finished with 13. Zac Seljaas pulled down 11 rebounds.
 
BYU has advanced to face No. 4 Kansas in Tuesday's second semifinal. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. (PT).