UCLA
17-11, 10-5
Colorado
21-7, 10-5
UCLA Outlasts No. 18 Colorado on the Road, 70-63
February 22, 2020 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER, Colo. โ Cody Riley scored a team-leading 16 points and Chris Smith made a career-high four 3-pointers to lead UCLA past No. 18 Colorado, 70-63, at the CU Events Center on Saturday afternoon.
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UCLA (17-11, 10-5 Pac-12) secured its fifth consecutive win and its ninth victory in the team's last 11 games. In addition, the Bruins notched their third straight win over a top-25-ranked opponent.
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Tyger Campbell scored 15 points and had a career-high 11 assists, recording his first collegiate double-double. Campbell had 11 assists and just one turnover, as the Bruins did not commit any turnovers in the second half.
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Smith finished with 14 points, sinking 4 of 6 shots from 3-point distance, as UCLA picked up the regular-season series sweep over Colorado (21-7, 10-5 Pac-12).
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The Bruins trailed at halftime, 29-26, and Colorado pushed its advantage to nine points โ 50-41 with 12:34 to play โ before UCLA outscored the Buffaloes 29-13 over the final 11:30.
"I'll tell you, it is a lot more fun when you win, obviously," said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach. "And you know the buy-in is there. If you win on national TV, it helps with recruiting. I came to UCLA for the long haul. Even when we were struggling, I was just focused on who we were going to be and not the result that day."
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McKinley Wright scored a team-leading 20 points for Colorado, connecting on 8 of 14 shots. Tyler Bey had 13 points and six rebounds, and Evan Battey finished with 11 points.
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UCLA led Colorado through the game's final seven minutes. The Bruins tied the contest, 50-50, on a 3-point shot by Smith with 8:50 to play. After a block by Riley, Campbell hit a 3-pointer before Riley added a layup to give the Bruins a 55-50 cushion.
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Colorado trimmed the Bruins' advantage to three points โ 63-60 โ with 1:19 to play before Jaime Jaquez Jr. made a key 3-pointer for UCLA, putting the Bruins ahead, 66-60.
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The Buffaloes responded with a 3-pointer by Wright at the 50-second mark.
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Leading 66-63, UCLA scored on a layup by Riley with 24 seconds remaining. UCLA's defense clamped down and got a stop before Smith drew a foul and hit both of his ensuing free throw attempts.
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UCLA earned its first sweep of Utah and Colorado since January of 2013. In addition, the Bruins registered their first Pac-12 road sweep since the 2016-17 season.
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The Bruins will return to action at home on Thursday night, hosting Arizona State in Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Game time is 8 p.m. (PT). The Bruins' game will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.
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