Dec. 22, 1999
By GORDON SAKAMOTO
Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU (AP) - John Ford made a free throw with 22.8 seconds left Wednesday night as Colorado State hung on to beat No. 18 UCLA 55-54 to advance to the championship game of the Pearl Harbor Invitational.
The Rams (6-3) appeared to have the game in hand when John Sivesind knocked down a 3-pointer with 4:10 left to make it 52-42.
UCLA (5-2) went on a 12-2 run, tying the game 54-54 on a 3-pointer by Ray Young. During the Bruins' rally, Dan Gadzuric had four points and four of his 17 rebounds.
Prior to Ford's shot, UCLA had a chance to take the lead, but Jason Kapono missed a left-handed hook from 10 feet. The freshman also had a chance to win the game with time running out, but his shot from the corner bounced off the rim.
Ceedric Goodwyn, undaunted by UCLA's big front line, muscled his way inside to score 18 points, making 8-of-11 shots. Ford finished with 12 points and Sivesind 11.
Earl Watson finished with 15 points and Gadzuric 14 for UCLA.
UCLA made more field goals, 23-19, and had a 38-26 edge in rebounds, but the Rams made 8-of-17 3-pointers to UCLA's 4-of-12.
Behind a raft of 3-pointers, the Rams took a 29-20 lead at the half. Aki Palmer and Garrett Patik each had two as Colorado State had more 3-pointers (six) than 2-point baskets (five) during the first 20 minutes. UCLA's point output was its lowest for a half this season.
Until Colorado State put together a 15-5 run over the final eight minutes, there were eight lead changes and a tie. Goodwyn took charge during the rally with seven points, including a 3-pointer.
Goodwyn then scored the first eight points in the second half to help the Rams build a cushion.
In its two losses, UCLA scored well under its average of 80.5 points. In its first loss, the Bruins scored only 43 points against Gonzaga.