ELITE FEAT MBAH A MOUTE'S BASKET CAPS UCLA COMEBACK UCLA 73, GONZAGA 71.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

OAKLAND - There is a photo of Tyus Edney's mad-dash layup hanging in UCLA's Hall of Fame, an image Bruins point guard Jordan Farmar sees regularly.

Now, in the wake of one UCLA's most epic comebacks in an already storied postseason history, Farmar wondered if Thursday's dramatic finish will find its way into the school's lore.

Trailing by nine points with slightly more than three minutes remaining, and by five points in the final minute, the second-seeded Bruins stunned everyone - including themselves - at The Arena in Oakland.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute scored the go-ahead lay-up with 8.6 seconds remaining as UCLA scored the final 11 points to defeat No. 3 seed Gonzaga 73-71 to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1997.

``This is the best. There's no way to explain it,'' Farmar said. ``You see Tyus Edney's picture in the Hall of Fame. You see it time and time again, and to be part of it first hand is really special.''

UCLA (30-6) will play top-seeded Memphis at 4:05 p.m. Saturday with a berth in the Final Four at stake. The Tigers, who beat UCLA 88-80 in November, defeated No. 13 seed Bradley 80-64.

``It's just an incredible comeback,'' UCLA coach Ben Howland said. ``Our guys never stopped believing, and it says a lot about their character,their pride and their commitment to one another. This is the best win I've been associated with because of the significance of it, that we're in the Elite Eight.''

The win was a dramatic turnaround for the Bruins, who trailed by 17 points late in the first half, and looked lost offensively and beaten down defensively. UCLA missed its first nine shots and turned the ball over seven times before its first field goal as it again struggled against a 2-3 zone.

In fact, UCLA first lead came on Mbah a Moute's layup, and afterward several players and coaches said they weren't sure exactly what transpired in the final 3:26.

``We never had control of this thing from the start,'' Bruins sophomore guard Arron Afflalo said. ``They jumped on us. We didn't score a field goal until 12 minutes in the first half. We didn't have control of the game until those last three seconds.''

UCLA's win likely will end the college career of Gonzaga junior Adam Morrison, who is expected to declare for the NBA draft. He was the nation's leading scorer at 28.2 points per game, and finished with 24 points Thursday.

But Morrison, like the rest of his teammates, were shut out after his free throws gave the Bulldogs (29-4) a 71-62 lead with 3:27 to play.

``We had control of that game,'' Morrison said. ``It just happened in a blur.''

Mbah a Moute kick-started the rally with two free throws. UCLA used its pressure to wear down a tired-looking Gonzaga, and Farmar pulled the Bruins within 71-68 with 50.2 seconds left with a running floater. After a Morrison miss, Ryan Hollins made two free throws with 19.7 seconds left.

On Gonzaga's next possession, center J.P. Batista was double-teamed by Cedric Bozeman and Farmar in the backcourt. Bozeman tapped the ball away, Farmar picked it up and floated a pass to Mbah a Moute for the layup with 8.6 seconds left and a 72-71 lead.

``We were trying to get the steal, or a 10-second violation, before they get to halfcourt,'' Farmar said. ``We were trying to get the ball back, and it worked out just like we wanted it to.''

The Bruins were able to force a jump ball on the ensuing possession, and it ultimately led to Afflalo making one of two free throws. Batista took a long inbounds pass but missed a desperation 20-footer at the buzzer to spark off a wild UCLA celebration. Morrison, meanwhile, fell to the ground at center court.

``We were just grinding and digging in,'' Mbah a Moute said. ``It shows a lot about this team's character. It shows a lot of people that have heart. I'm just so proud of my team right now.''

Afflalo and Farmar led UCLA with 15 points each.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(1 -- color) UCLA players celebrate their 73-71 come-from-behind victory over Gonzaga in the third round of the NCAA Tournament in Oakland as Gonzaga star Adam Morrison hangs his head. Morrison's 24 points helped Gonzaga take a 17-point lead.

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

(2) Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison buries his head on the floor of The Arena in Oakland after the Bulldogs were defeated by UCLA on Thursday. Morrison finished with 24 points.

Brian Plonka/Associated Press

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