March Madness: UCLA vs. Alabama live updates, score
UCLA #UCLA
UCLA’s defense has seen a resurgence during the NCAA tournament. In only three games, its adjusted defensive efficiency has risen from No. 86 nationally to No. 63 in the metrics of basketball analyst Ken Pomeroy.
But the Bruins defense will have its work cut out for it Sunday with Alabama, seeded No. 2 in the East regional, standing between the No. 11 Bruins and their first trip to the Elite 8 since 2008.
The Crimson Tide lead the nation in three-pointers attempted (961) and three-pointers made (341). And they generated many of them off offensive rebounds, a rarity for teams that live beyond the arc. During a 96-77 win over Maryland in the second round, Alabama had 15 offensive rebounds and 23 second-chance points.
Alabama, which last made the Elite 8 in 2004, also likes to play in a hurry, its average possession length of 14.2 seconds ranking No. 3 nationally. UCLA’s possession length of 18.8 seconds ranks No. 309 nationally.
The Bruins got to this regional semifinal game by beating Michigan State 86-80 in the First Four, No. 6 Brigham Young 73-62 in the first round and No. 14 Abilene Christian 67-47 in the second round. Alabama beat No. 15 Iona 68-55 in the first round and No. 10 Maryland 96-77 in the second round.
Follow today’s game here. Tipoff is at 4:15 PDT.
UCLA 40, Alabama 29 (halftime)
UCLA’s David Singleton hit a three following a pair of missed free throws by Alabama’s Juwan George. UCLA made four of its last six three-point attempts. Jules Bernard got a three-pointer and is fouled by Jahvon Quinerly. Bernard completed the four-point play for a 15-2 UCLA run. Quinerly hit a layup on the other end. Bernard drains another three-pointer. UCLA ended the first half on a 20-6 run.
UCLA 30, Alabama 27 (3:33 left in first half)
Juwan Gary got a steal on the UCLA end and the jam on the other end, 25-22 Tide. David Singleton hit a three-pointer to tie the game for the Bruins. Jaime Jaquez gets a bank shot for a 27-25 UCLA lead. Jules Bernard hit a three for a 30-25 lead. John Petty Jr. gets a layup for Alabama.
Alabama 23, UCLA 22 (6:50 left in first half)
Johnny Juzang hit a pair of free throws off the timeout, then after a UCLA steal gets a layup. Tyger Campbell gets a steal on Alabama’s end, then takes it all the way to pull the Bruins to within 19-17 at 9:10. Jones returns to the floor for the first time after picking up his second foul less than a minute into the game. Jahvon Quinerly hits a layup. Campbell goes to the bench after two fouls in less than a minute. Juzang hit a three, 21-20 Tide, but Juwan Gary answers with a layup. Jaime Jaquez Jr. gets a layup for the Bruins to pull to within 23-22.
Alabama 19, UCLA 11 (10:34 left in first half)
Johnny Juzang drained a jumper off the timeout but Jahvon Quinerly answered with a quick layup.
Alabama 17, UCLA 9 (11:17 left in first half)
Joshua Primo drove to the rim to give Alabama a 9-7 lead. Jahvon Quinerly hit a three-pointer for a 12-7 lead. Primo is fouled by Cody Riley going to the rim and made both free throws for a 14-7 Alabama lead. Jahvon Quinerly made one of two free throws to give Alabama a 15-7 lead. Johnny Juzang drives to the basket to end a 14-0 Alabama run. It was the Bruins’ first made shot in their last 10 attempts. Keon Ellis hit a layup on the other end.
UCLA 7, Alabama 7 (15:12 left in first half)
Alabama’s Herbert Jones is on the bench after picking up his second foul just 41 seconds into the game. UCLA’s Cody Riley made a layup for the first points of the game at the 18:29 mark. Alabama’s Keon Ellis made a free throw for Alabama, but Tyger Campbell answered with a layup and Jules Bernard hit a three for a 7-1 UCLA lead. Jordan Bruner and Ellis hit back-to-back threes to tie it up.
Starting lineups
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.