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UCLA cruised to an easy 97-80 win over Kent State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night, but all eyes were on Bruins freshman Lonzo Ball, who took a hard fall late in the first half.
Lonzo Ball hits the deck hard but remains in the game pic.twitter.com/KAmWnPGGNO
— krazygoods.com (@lovekrazygoods) March 18, 2017
Ball grimaced in pain as Kent State players rushed to his aid, and after fighting through pain to shoot free throws, he limped to the locker room at halftime.
Lonzo Ball limping off the court. pic.twitter.com/UZADfJyBOl
— âarcusD2.0 (@_MarcusD2_) March 18, 2017
Ball returned in the second half and was officially diagnosed with a hip bruise. But it was clear the pain from the fall was bothering him, and he wasnât his typical self as the Bruins struggled to put away Kent State before coming out on top.
He finished with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and one sore hip in the Bruinsâ victory. They now move on to the round of 32 to face Cincinnati on Sunday.
