UCLA Bruins Overcome Lafayette Challenge with Second-Half Rally

In a thrilling showdown, the UCLA Bruins managed to clinch a crucial win in their second game of the season against Lafayette. The Lafayette Leopards pushed UCLA to their limits, requiring a remarkable second-half comeback to seal the victory.

Key Takeaways:

• The UCLA Bruins faced a surprising halftime deficit of three points against Lafayette but remained determined to turn the tide in the second half.
• The Bruins displayed resilience and rallied during the second half, ultimately emerging triumphant with a final score of 68-50.
• While the win brought relief to the UCLA squad, it served as a reminder that they must remain vigilant even against lower-tiered opponents.

The first half of the game saw the UCLA Bruins trailing behind Lafayette, which came as a surprise to many fans and analysts alike. However, the Bruins remained unfazed, fully aware that there was a significant amount of game left to be played.

“It was a tale of two halves. I feel like we played with a competitive spirit, especially defensively. We just played a good brand of basketball. In the second half, it kind of flipped on us. We allowed them to go on a run in the middle of the second half. Give credit to Coach Cronin. He went small and he switched up a lot of screens. He made sure the team didn’t have too many defensive rotations. Also, I’d have to look at our shooting percentage in the second half. I’ll have to analyze what type of shots we took because I thought they were the same type of shots we took in the first half.”

Per Mike McGarvey via UCLABruins.com

As the second half unfolded, the Bruins mounted a remarkable comeback, ultimately securing a 68-50 victory on their home turf. This win provided a much-needed sigh of relief for the UCLA squad, but it also served as a stark reminder that no team is invincible, even when facing lower-ranked opponents.

Lafayette’s head coach, Mike McGarvey, shed light on his team’s performance during the second half and credited Bruins coach Mick Cronin for motivating his players. The Bruins’ defensive prowess truly shone in the second half, making life incredibly challenging for Lafayette and ultimately becoming the driving force behind their hard-fought victory.

“Once we started switching everything it kind of eliminated them. They didn’t make a three the last 17 minutes. They had seven made threes. They hit a couple right out the gate to start the second half and once we started switching everything they never made them anymore.”

Per Mick Cronin via UCLABruins.com

Looking ahead, the UCLA Bruins are determined to start their games more strongly to avoid potential upsets against teams they should beat. Their next matchup takes place at home against Long Island, and they are keen to maintain their momentum.

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