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

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

OAKLAND - The slow start happened again, as was UCLA's inability - or lack of understanding - in attacking a 2-3 zone defense.

As in so many previous times when the Bruins used defense to dig out of the hole created by poor shooting and questionable decision-making - and this time, even against a better opponent - the outcome was the same.

Just a lot more hair-raising, and dramatic.

Second-seeded UCLA rallied from a seven-point deficit with less three minutes to play as it scored the final 11 points, including the go-ahead lay-up from Luc Richard Mbah a Moute with 8.6 seconds remaining to stun No. 3 Gonzaga 73-71 Thursday, and advance to the Elite Eight in the Oakland Regional at The Arena in Oakland.

It is UCLA's first regional final since 1997, when it lost to Minnesota.

``It's a relief to get the win,'' UCLA coach Ben Howland said. ``It's a testament to the character, the heart. Our players have a never-quit attitude.''

The Bruins, who trailed by 17 points late in the first half, will play top-seeded Memphis on Saturday with a berth in the Final Four at stake. The Tigers defeated No. 13 seed Bradley 80-64, but didn't stick around for the nightcap. Memphis beat UCLA 88-80 earlier this season in Madison Square Garden.

``I don't want them to watch that game,'' Memphis coach John Calipari said. ``All they're going to do is go back and relax and enjoy what (they)just did. I'm not going to watch this game. When they tell me who won,we played both teams, I'm watching that tape.

``I don't want my guys 7/8 they're not coaches. They don't have to watch five tapes.''

UCLA's win likely will end the 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.

But Morrison, like the rest of his teammates, were shut out the final 3:27. Morrison gave the Bulldogs a 71-62 lead with two free throws before UCLA's defense intensified.

Mbah a Moute made a pair of free throws to begin the game-ending run. UCLA was able to get steals and stops on defense with its pressure, and Jordan 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.

Gonzaga had trouble getting the ball upcourt on the next possession, and J.P. Batista was double-teamed by Cedric Bozeman and Jordan Farmar, who came away with the steal and fed Mbah a Moute for the lay-in with 8.6 seconds left and a 72-71 lead. It was UCLA's first lead.

``We were going to foul if they got the ball to half court,'' Farmar said. ``Ced knocked it out and I picked it up and found Luc underneath.''

There Bruins were able to force a jump ball on the ensuing possession, and it ultimately led to Arron 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, collapsed to the center of the floor.

``We just played with a lot of energy,'' Afflalo said. ``It was desperation time, being down nine with three minutes to go. You have to let it all out.''

Afflalo and Farmar led UCLA with 15 points each.

A brutal shooting night began 10 seconds after tip-off, when Farmar launched a 3-pointer. Afflalo fired up a quick three on the Bruins' next possession, and the erratic shooting, careless handling of the basketball continued.

UCLA missed its first nine shots and had seven turnovers before Afflalo's 10-footer from the lane gave the Bruins their first basket. And that came with 11:32 remaining in the first half, after the Bulldogs built an 18-7 lead.

At one stretch, UCLA was 3 of 18 from the field, predictably unable to solve Gonzaga's 2-3 zone; the same type of zone that gave the Bruins fits all season.

Meanwhile, Gonzaga didn't need Morrison or Batista to take a big lead.

Morrison had four points, but the 'Zags built a 27-14 when Batista scored and added a free throw with 8:21 remaining in the half. Then Morrison, who was guarded by Afflalo, Bozeman and even Michael Roll on a few trips, got on a roll by scoring eight points in a four-minute stretch to push Gonzaga's lead to 37-20 late in the half.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos, box

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.

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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