BRUINS TOUGH DOWN STRETCH UCLA ERASES 12-POINT LEAD, TOPS ASU UCLA 86, ARIZ. ST. 82.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer TEMPE, Ariz. - UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX coach Ben Howland Ben Howland (born May 28, 1957 in Lebanon, Oregon) is an American college head coach of men's basketball. He has been the head coach of the University of California, Los Angeles since 2003, and recently signed a contract extension through 2013. spent last season bemoaning his team's lack of toughness, be it physical or mental. The offseason workout programs were tailored, in part, to change that, and becoming tougher is a constant theme in practice. The desire and work finally turned into reality Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena Wells Fargo Arena is the name of at least two indoor arenas in the United States:
For the first time in his tenure, Howland gushed about his teams toughness as the Bruins erased a 12-point, first-half deficit, held back a second-half Arizona State surge and made their last 15 free throw attempts to post an 86-82 win. The Bruins (10-3, 4-1 Pacific-10) won their fourth consecutive game to remain atop the conference standings. After going 2-11 away from home last season, the Bruins are 2-2 this season. ``This was a huge win for us,'' Howland said. ``It's a gutty win, and another hard-fought road win in a very tough conference. I like the mental toughness that we have. They never say die. They never quit. They have a lot of confidence, and it starts with our senior leader, Dijon Thompson Dijon Lynn Thompson (born February 23, 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA) is an American professional basketball player for Alba Berlin of the German Bundesliga. .'' It was the Sun Devils' first home loss. ASU ASU Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) ASU Appalachian State University ASU Arkansas State University ASU Angelo State University ASU Alabama State University ASU Australian Services Union (13-3, 2-2) won its previous nine home games by an average of 17.9 points. ``In league play we've been down every game and had to come back, and I think that shows a lot of character,'' UCLA center Michael Fey said. ``I think guys have got new attitudes. We've got a whole new team, whole new chemistry. Things are going good right now, and we know when we get down, we're not out of it.'' Jordan Farmar Jordan Robert Farmar (born November 30, 1986) is an American professional basketball player at starting point guard for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. He was previously the starting point guard for the UCLA men's basketball team. led UCLA with 20 points, Thompson added 19 and Arron Afflalo Arron Agustin Afflalo (born October 15, 1985) is an American professional basketball player, currently with the Detroit Pistons. He recently completed a three-year career at University of California, Los Angeles in the Pacific Ten Conference of the NCAA as the starting shooting chipped in 17, but Fey's defense against All-America candidate Ike Diogu Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu, better known as Ike Diogu (born September 11, 1983 in Buffalo, New York), is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Indiana Pacers. was the difference. Diogu scored in double figures for the 75th consecutive game, but his 15 points were eight under his season average, and his work to score was very difficult. Fey's defense, and double-teams whenever Diogu touched the ball, frustrated the 6-foot-8 junior into 6 of 16 shooting from the field. It was the first time Diogu, a 62 percent shooter this season, didn't make at least half of his shots in a game. ``Mike, he was my MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. ,'' UCLA junior forward Ryan Hollins Ryan Hollins (born October 10, 1984) is an American professional basketball player. At 7 foot, 225 lbs, he is a center from the University of California, Los Angeles. He was selected in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. said. ``He stepped up big. Coach told Mike to hold his ground and he held it good.'' Fey added 10 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes, and Hollins and Lorenzo Mata also helped in guarding Diogu, who played 40 minutes but was rendered a non-factor in the offense. ``(The double team) didn't bother (Diogu),'' ASU coach Rob Evans This article is about the basketball coach. For the Christian singer-songwriter, see The Donut Man. Rob Evans (born September 7 1946 in Hobbs, New Mexico) is a college basketball coach with his most recent head coaching stint at Arizona State University. said. ``He faced two 7-footers against Temple and a 6-foot-10 (guy) and did fine. They tried to get him out of position and they did a good job of it. He didn't move around as much as he should have.'' The Bruins yielded more than 75 points for the third consecutive game, but that was because of the pace. ASU shot 41.8 percent from the field, and it was defense that helped UCLA turn a 32-20 deficit into a 42-41 halftime lead. The Bruins opened the second half with eight consecutive points for a 50-41 lead, then held off the Sun Devils. ASU pulled within two points several times, but Afflalo's 3-pointer with 2:57 left gave the Bruins a 76-71 lead. ``It was an actual play down the stretch for me,'' Afflalo said. ``I felt the need to come through. I got a little separation from the guy that was guarding me. He was playing me a little tight in the post.'' The rest of UCLA's points came from the line as Fey hit two free throws and Thompson made six in a row before Afflalo iced it with two free throws with 7.7 seconds that gave the Bruins an 86-82 lead. ``Everybody's playing better individually and we're much better as a team,'' Farmar said. ``We're playing solid. We're playing team defense, rebounding, helping each other out.'' Brian Dohn, (818) 713-3607 brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Arizona State forward Ike Diogu tries to muscle between UCLA's Michael Fey, right, and Dijon Thompson during Thursday's loss to UCLA. Roy Dabner/Associated Press |
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