UCLA Comes Up Short Against Butler

By Bruin Basketball Report 

Box Score

UCLA rebounded from an embarrassing loss the night before but still came up short as the Butler Bulldogs edged the Bruins 69-67.

The Bulldogs Gordon Hayward made two free throws with 0.6 seconds to play, giving No. 12 Butler a victory over UCLA in the 76 Classic on Friday night. 

The Bruins came out determined in this game to prevent another lackadaisical effort.  They got their inside game rolling with set plays to Drew Gordon early.  Dragovic also got into the action and finished with a team-high 14 points.

But the Bruins are a team in rebuilding, it may take until the start of the Pac-10 season for them to learn their identity this season.  

It will definitely help to get top incoming frosh Tyler Honeycutt back into the line-up.  His ability to score and move the ball around will help this team tremendously especially against zone defenses, something the Bruins struggle mightily against now.

Freshman post man Reeves Nelson had a solid game powering to 9 points on 4 of 7 shooting in just 16 minutes.  It wouldn't be surprising to see his minutes increase as the season progresses and his game, especially on the defensive end, improves.

Malcolm Lee added 11 points and four assists.  Point guard Jerime Anderson hit key shots down the stretch, including a three-pointer with six seconds remaining.  He finished with 7 points and 4 assists but had 6 turnovers.

UCLA plays against Long Beach St. in their final contest of the 76 Classic tourney.