Witnessing the Thursday night game from home due to being sick with COVID-19, UCLA coach Mick Cronin couldn’t have been pleased with his Bruins’ poor performance against UC Riverside, a team with a losing record playing in the Big West Conference, unless he had access to the Pac-12 Network.
Cronin would’ve had plenty of reasons to consider changing the channel as the game was marred by various adversities, including injuries to star players and poor shooting.
Freshman forward Adem Bona’s foul trouble, missed shots, and a humongous spark due to an injury all seemed to compound the team’s struggles.
Facing a one-point deficit with just 10 seconds left, it took a breathtaking play by sophomore guard Dylan Andrews to secure a 66-65 victory for the Bruins and extend their home winning streak to 29 games.
Accompanied by the worst shooting performance of his college career, Andrews redeemed himself with an impressive 17 points, aiding the Bruins’ comeback to secure a win against UC Riverside.
Despite the challenges, UCLA’s victory offered a glimmer of hope, setting the stage for their upcoming game against Villanova on Dec. 9.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.