It was a second half from hell for the UCLA Bruins on Saturday against the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines. UCLA watched a two-point halftime deficit turn into a 30-point loss, dropping the Bruins to 17-8 on the season after the 86-56 defeat.
Even though UCLA one of the top teams in the country, on the road in a game that tipped off before noon Pacific Time, the Bruins held their own against the Wolverines. Michigan led by as much as 11 points in the first half, UCLA ended the first period on a 10-1 run to get to just two points before heading to the locker room.
The Bruins defense fell apart after halftime. After shooting 48% in the first half, Michigan shot an amazing 78% in the second half. UCLA never had a chance at beating the Wolverines if they were going to allow Michigan to shoot 62% for the game but the Bruins offense also fell apart after halftime.
UCLA managed just 18 points in the second half, shooting 26% as the Wolverines took full control of the game and allowed their crowd to get involved as the Bruins fell apart. Trent Perry finished with 14 points for UCLA but he was the only Bruin with more than 10 points in the game.
Skyy Clark returned from injury but he didn’t make a huge difference for Mick Cronin’s team. Clark scored eight points in 16 minutes, hitting two of his three attempts from deep. Donovan Dent scored 10 points and had four assists but the New Mexico transfer turned the ball over five times and missed his two attempts from the free throw line.
UCLA exceeded expectations in the first half against Michigan but the first half showing was overshadowed by having everything fall apart after halftime. This Bruins team has lacked consistency, making an extended run in March hard to fathom.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA men competed for a half against Michigan, then fell apart
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
