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Another ugly Streak bites the dust. Less than a month after the UCLA Football team terminated a nasty streak, the Basketball team has done the same, finally knocking off the Washington Huskies after three consecutive losses, 96-74.
Not that the Bruin-Husky rivalry rivals the Bruin-trOJan version, but these two teams are battling for Pac-10 Supremacy (along with Arizona), and the Huskies are led by two men with Bruin ties. Head Coach Lorenzo Romar was an Assistant to Jim Harrick on UCLA's 1995 National Championship team, and one of Romar's current Washington Assistants is former Bruin Point Guard Cameron Dollar. These two let the Bruins down by blowing a triple-overtime game to sc this week, but they made up for it by failing to properly motivate their players for the match-up against the Bruins.
UCLA was more fired up right from the outset, jumping out to an early lead. Arron Afflalo, playing what Coach Ben Howland termed AA's best game ever, led the way early, scoring 20 of his career high-tying 27 points in the first half. After Intermission, Arron looked to pass more, and accordingly, recorded 8 Assists. Speaking of Assists and Personal Bests, Darren Collison set a new Career mark with THIRTEEN Assists (in addition to his 15 Points).
The Bruins played tenacious Defense, forced turnover after turnover, and consistently turned them into points. Josh Shipp added 13 points, while a big boost from the bench came from Mike Roll. Roll was in the Zone, hitting 6 shots (including 3 three's) for 15 points.
Roll wasn't the only contributor from the bench, and Afflalo wasn't the only double-A to make an impact -- Alfred Aboya hit two free throws, snatched two rebounds, blocked two shots, and got one steal, all in just 8 minutes.
And let's not forget Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Lorenzo Mata, who teamed up to keep Spencer Hawes in check. Although Hawes ended up with 21 Points and 6 Rebounds, he was held down when it mattered. He was very quiet after Washington made their run, cutting the lead to 11 in the second half. The Bruins responded, and put the game quickly out of reach, with Hawes watching helplessly.
With any luck, Hawes will be in the NBA next year, so he will never get to taste victory in Pauley Pavilion.
What a way for the Bruins to end the year -- As the undisputed #1 team in the Country, and playing like it. Below are some photos from the Washington game -- Some Huskies, and some not-so-husky -- Once again showing that the Basketball team isn't the only Bruin Squad in Pauley that is the Best in the Country.
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