Nr. 6-seeded BYU never synced much of the night and sank 73-62 in the first-round NCAA tournament Saturday night with the 11-seeded Bruins.
The loss at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis spoiled BYU’s first NCAA tournament in six years, while UCLA’s victory ensured that each Pac-12 team advanced to the second round in this year’s tournament.
Here are three take-away from the game:
- BYU struggled tremendously from three points and made just 3 of 17 from depth and 1 of 7 in the second half, after trailing by 11 at halftime. UCLA, who had to pull together to beat Michigan State in a First Four game to get through Saturday’s first round, had a good night shot from outside and hit 8 of 19 three-pointers. Johnny Juzang led the Bruins by hitting 3 of 7 3-pointers – all his makings came in the first half.
- Juzang scored a game-high 27 points, while Jules Bernard 16 and Jaime Jaquez Jr. 13 added. That was more than enough for the Bruins (19-9), who shot 48.3% of the field, to drop the Cougars (20-7), who shot 49%, but tried seven field goals less and could not get into a rhythm. The senior guards, Alex Barcello (20 points) and Brandon Averette (15), scored BYU in the score, while Matt Haarms had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
- UCLA was offensively more efficient and finished with ten assistants to a season-low four turnover. BYU meanwhile had just five assistants and ten turnovers, and UCLA turned the turnaround into 11 points. The Bruins also had a 13-7 lead in the second-half points and had some possessions in the second half, where offensive rebounds led to key points, after the Cougars reduced their deficit to four in the second half.
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BYU forward Caleb Lohner, 33, is fighting for a setback with UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., left, during the first half of a first-round game at the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis , Saturday 20 March 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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A reflection of BYU and UCLA teams is warming up as fans watch in a reflection ahead of a game in the first round of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament at Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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BYU forward Caleb Lohner, 33, is seeking help while UCLA warden Jaime Jaquez Jr. (4) closes during the first half of the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021. .
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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BYU forward Matt Haarms is battling a setback with UCLA forward Cody Riley (2) and teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr. (4) during the first half of a first round game at the NCAA College Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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BYU guard Spencer Johnson (20) drives past UCLA guard Johnny Juzang (3) during the first half of a first-round game at the NCAA College Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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BYU forward Matt Haarms (3) shoots over UCLA forward Mac Etienne (12) during the first half of a first-round game at the NCAA College Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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BYU guard Alex Barcello (13) is selected by UCLA forward Kenneth Nwuba (14) as he tries to defend UCLA guard Tyger Campbell (10) during the first half of the first round at NCAA College Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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UCLA guard David Singleton (34) drives past BYU guard Alex Barcello (13) during the first half of a first-round game at the NCAA College Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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Brandon Averette (4), BYU guard, fights for the ball with UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., right, while UCLA guard Jules Bernard (1) during the first half of the first round in the NCAA college- basketball tournament in Hinkle Fieldhouse closes. 10 weather forecast for Indianapolis.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
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BYU forward Matt Haarms (3) passes the ball while UCLA’s Matt Haarms (1) defends during the first half of the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.
AJ Mast, Associated Press
3:44, second half
UCLA 64, BYU 53
Time for BYU’s season is running low, as the Cougars are lagging behind the media’s last time lapse at night at 11. BYU is simply shocked and played out on both sides of the floor.
7:55, second half
UCLA 58, BYU 49
The Cougars remain hanging around, but BYU is just 3 of 14 on three points and will soon have to make another turn to conquer this lead.
10:47, second half
UCLA 54, BYU 43
The Cougars cut UCLA’s lead to four points on the back of a 10-0 lead, but the Bruins responded with an 11-4 run to push the lead back to double figures. While BYU is shooting this half 7 of 11, it needs to get defensively better to make a game of this.
15:48, second half
UCLA 43, BYU 36
The Bruins increased their lead to a game-high 14 points in the opening moments of the second half, but BYU responded with a mini 7-0 run to get back into this one. The cougars will have to defend the pressure they showed in the first minutes of this half.
Half time
UCLA 38, BYU 27
Johnny Juzang has 19 points on 8 of 11 shots, including three three-pointers, and UCLA is in control in its match with BYU. The Bruins shot 48.4% of the field and turned it over only twice, while BYU struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Alex Barcello is the lone Cougar who looked offensive as he has nine points.
2:56, first half
UCLA 34, BYU 23
The Bruins have created some separation by hitting seven of the last eight shots, including four three-pointers. While BYU has finally gotten a little offensive, the Cougars can’t keep up if UCLA keeps this hot streak going. Johnny Juzang has almost as many points as BYU with 17, shooting on 7 of 10.
6:45, first half
UCLA 21, BYU 17
The Cougars finally got a little going and cut the UCLA lead to one several times, but the Bruins still led all the way. BYU has shot just 35.5% so far, compared to 40% for UCLA.
11:21, first half
UCLA 12, BYU 10
The Bruins extended their lead to 12-5, but BYU eventually got a little something offensive with consecutive possessions with scores. Johnny Juzang has eight points early for UCLA.
15:08, first half
UCLA 7, BYU 3
The Cougars started cold – they missed their first six shots before Alex Barcello hit a 3, and they already have two turnovers. UCLA, meanwhile, hit 3 of 8 off the field for the early lead of four points.
Prediction
What will BYU look like when he gets to the gate? The Cougars did not play in 11 days.
It’s been 11 days since BYU played a game. Will the Cougars look like in the first half against Pepperdine in the WCC semi? Or like in the first half against Gonzaga in the WCC title match?
– Jeff Call (@AJeffreyCall) 21 March 2021
Here are some stories to prepare you for tonight’s game as BYU returns to the NCAA Tournament: