UCLA Bruins Ride Strong Second-Half To Defeat Colorado Buffaloes, 92-74

February 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Kyle Anderson (5) controls the ball against Colorado Buffaloes forward Xavier Johnson (2) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Anderson, Bruins Hold Off Buffs at Pauley Pavillion

The Colorado Buffaloes fell to 18-7, 7-5 in Pac-12 play after getting outscored in the second half by the UCLA Bruins, 56-34. They would defeat Colorado by the final score of 92-74. Kyle Anderson scored a game-high 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, knocking down both three’s he attempted. He would also collect 11 assists and 7 rebounds.

The first-half at the Pauley Pavillion was an entertaining one to say the least. The UCLA Bruins got off to a quick 9-2 run led by Kyle Anderson who drained the elbow jumper. Josh Scott would quickly rally the Buffs on a 12-2 run as he completed the hoop and the harm to put the Buffaloes up 17-15. Colorado started to pull away as Scott would rebound his own missed shot and put it in the hoop as Colorado took the 25-18 lead.

Askia Booker chipped in with a three-pointer pushing the Buffaloes lead to 10 as he finished the half with 9 points and 7 assists. Xavier Talton would extend Colorado’s lead to 12 with a three of his own as he hit 9 of his last 11 three-pointers. But UCLA would inch closer as Norman Powell would knock down a triple to bring the lead to within 4 on a 9-0 run, 36-32 Buffaloes. After a made basket by UCLA, Colorado would finish the half on a dunk attempt from Josh Scott on the nice feed from Booker. Colorado would take the 40-36 lead into the half.

The second-half would belong to the UCLA Bruins. Right from the second Bryce Alford was inserted into the line-up, the Bruins took off from that point on. Alford would go 4-of-5 from behind-the-arc leading his team to a 11-0 run. Xavier Talton would answer back with a three, but Alford had the last laugh knocking down another triple.

The game started to get away from the Buffaloes as Ryan Anderson knocked down a triple to put the Bruins ahead 10 points, 81-71. UCLA would cruise from that point on as they shot 11-of-22 from distance, 50.0% percent and shot 35-of-62, 56.5% percent from the field.

John Scott led the Buffaloes with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, collecting 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Askia Booker caught the attention of everyone on the night as he recorded a double-double with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting, collecting 12 assists and 2 steals.

The Colorado Buffaloes (18-7, 7-5 in Pac-12) will return to action Sunday afternoon as they take on the USC Trojans. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM MT.