UCLA had its chances but couldn't put away No. 20 Ohio State on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic, first surrendering a late lead then failing to take advantage of late opportunities to take it back as the Buckeyes won 77-70.
The Bruins led as late as the second half with six minutes to play but Ohio State, despite star E.J. Liddell fouling out, closed strong on a 16-7 run. Liddell missed the team's last two games due to injury but made the start against UCLA, finishing with nine points, three boards and an assist in just 19 minutes of action. Duane Washington Jr. led the way with 14 points and Zed Key added 11 off the bench.
UCLA got a nice game from Cody RIley, who had 15 points on nine shots, and from Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang, who scored 13 points. But the team missed six layups after taking advantage of easy looks around the paint early. Second-chance opportunities helped keep the Bruins in the game but shooting struggles combined with going just 4-of-13 from deep -- compared to OSU's 8-of-22 mark from beyond the arc -- doomed them.
Ohio State was coming off a road loss to Purdue and hasn't quite looked the same in Liddell's absence, so taking care of business against UCLA -- and doing so with Liddell back -- is a positive sign as it improves to 6-1 on the season ahead of Big Ten play next week. For UCLA, it's its first loss since the season-opener but a missed opportunity to capitalize on momentum. It defeated a talented Marquette team on Friday and had ample chances to keep things rolling, but just couldn't finish the job.
UCLA has had SO MANY chances to cut into OSU's lead and make things interesting. Just hasn't been able to take advantage. OSU up 76-68 with 30 seconds left. Game almost over.
Been a really nice first half for UCLA. Bruins aren't settling for shots and instead attacking the hoop. Getting open looks in the paint and making them. Ohio State doesn't have the size to really keep UCLA out of the paint and contest some of these.
Ohio State is a completely different team when E.J. Liddell is healthy, as we're seeing today. Has been injured but returning today to the lineup, already with 5 points early here.
