WSU-UCLA: Bruins Shows Cougs Plenty of Love

The UCLA Bruins continued their domination of Washington State on their home court, Pauley Pavilion. Despite a phenomenal run by the Cougs in the final few minutes, UCLA put up 81 points to earn their fourth consecutive PAC-10 win, 81-74.

Kevin Love proved to be the difference in the game. Love looked very much the freshman phenom that so many folks are drooling all over themselves about. He had a season high 27 points, 14 rebounds and several sweet outlet passes leading to 4 assists on easy fast break buckets. To put another spin on Love’s performance, his 14 rebounds was only two fewer than the entire WSU team. The Cougs had plenty of rebound chances because of some very cold shooting in the first half.

UCLA popped out to an early ten point lead at 11-1 in the first six minutes of the game. That is just too much of a mountain to climb against a team that is playing under control and imposing their will. The Bruins were never taken out of the game in the first 34 minutes of play. Down the stretch, UCLA couldn’t slow down the Cougar offense that made a game of things.

Though the game looked to be out of reach for Washington State just minutes into the second half, they never got down on themselves and played with good intensity the entire way. Perhaps that might have been their problem early on. Intensity. They might have been just a little too hyped up for the game as witnessed by the numerous shots missed in the paint.

Coach Tony Bennett appeared to want the Cougs to go after the big men for UCLA, working the ball inside instead of working for three-point shots. Actually, WSU was able to do just that. Who would have expected Kyle Weaver to miss shots from under the bucket? He wasn’t the only one who had trouble with first half layups, but certainly the most unexpected.

With the game seemingly out of reach and the pressure off, Derrick Low, Daven Harmeling and Taylor Rochestie started to light it up from three-point range. The Cougs showed why they have earned national recognition by playing hard for 40 minutes, regardless of the score. Low finished with a team high 24 points, all of which were in the second half.

UCLA played solid basketball for the entire game. WSU was definitely sub-par in the first half, digging themselves a hole that was too deep to crawl out of. The game is now history. Time to move forward. The Cougs head home for games next week against the Oregon schools. Nice way for them to return to winning ways, though that doesn’t mean either the Ducks or the Beavers are walk-overs.

With Friel Court surrounded by Cougar Nation at full volume, there’s plenty to look forward to next week!

GO COUGS!!!