Bruins Rally To Defeat NAIA Concordia in Exhibition Contest

By Bruin Basketball Report

Junior Mustafa Abdul-Hamid nailed a game-winning three-pointer with 16.1 seconds remaining to lead the UCLA basketball team past Concordia University, 62-61, in an exhibition game Wednesday evening in Pauley Pavilion. 

Concordia led by as many as eight points - 51-43 at 8:17 - after having secured a 31-28 halftime cushion. The Bruins tied the contest, 53-53, on a three-point basket by sophomore Malcolm Lee with 5:20 to play. 

Concordia opened a four-point lead (61-57) with 2:10 remaining and was held scoreless the rest of the way. A layup by sophomore Drew Gordon with 1:09 to play cut UCLA's deficit to 61-59 before Abdul-Hamid's three pointer handed the Bruins' their first lead since the 18:04 mark in the first half. 

Abdul-Hamid finished with seven points, shooting 3-of-4 from the field.
Gordon registered a team-leading 17 points and 11 rebounds for UCLA, connecting on 8-of-11 shots. The Bruins received 12 points from senior Nikola Dragovic and 11 points each from senior James Keefe and Lee. 

Junior Justin Johnson led Concordia with 21 points, scoring 17 in the first half. Junior Brandon Hucks added 10 points for the visiting Eagles.
In a closely-contested game, neither team led by more than three points in the first half. 

UCLA's projected starters Michael Roll (ankle) and Jerime Anderson (groin) did not play due to injury. 

The Bruins play their second and final exhibition game against Humboldt State on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.

(UCLA Athletic Department)