WAITING GAME BEGINS BRUINS' LOSS PUTS NCAA HOPES IN LIMBO OREGON ST. 79, UCLA 72.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

UCLA guard Arron Afflalo may wake up in a cold sweat, not with visions of trying to Arizona guard Salim Stoudamire, but of his television screen and NCAA Tournament brackets.

It could be a recurring anxiety attack for any number of UCLA players in the next few days, because the Bruins did exactly what they vowed not to do.

Fourth-seeded UCLA fell to No. 5 seed Oregon State 79-72 Thursday at Staples Center, exiting the Pacific-10 Tournament in the first round for the third time in four years, and injecting days of angst into the players' souls as they await Sunday's selection of the 65-team NCAA field.

After an uninspired, defenseless first half led to a 22-point deficit and a furious second-half rally pulled the Bruins within four, UCLA ultimately left its NCAA aspirations in the hands of the selection committee.

``There's no doubt in my mind that we deserve to be in the field of 65,'' UCLA coach Ben Howland said.

Oregon State, which beat a conference team away from its home for the first time in 13 months, faces No. 1 seed Arizona today, while UCLA laments its future.

Precedent for Pac-10 teams with UCLA's resume suggest there is little reason to worry, but with the Bruins' final image to the selection committee being that of a lackluster effort, there is plenty of apprehension.

``This could have given us a little more of a cushion if we won this game,'' said senior Dijon Thompson, who led UCLA with 21 points but was 8 of 20 from the field. ``Now, I have no clue (about an NCAA bid). I think we've done a good job this whole season, but I have no clue.''

UCLA (18-10) finished tied for third in league, which is usually a recipe for an at-large bid for a Pac-10 team. Each of the past 16 years, Pac-10 teams finishing third or tied for third reached the NCAAs.

Also, the Bruins were 11-7 in league play, and 60 of the past 61 teams to finish a Pac-10 season with at least 11 conference wins reached the tournament. UCLA, which beat Oregon State 69-61 last week, entered the week 29th in the RPI, were 6-5 on the road and 6-4 in their past 10 games.

``Now, we're leaving it up to the committee as far as the NCAAs are concerned,'' Afflalo said. ``That's something we didn't want. We could have (eased) those doubts. I don't have a lot of (doubts), but I have some.''

UCLA point guard Jordan Farmar, the Pac-10 freshman of the year, scored 16 points but was 6 of 19 from the field and committed five turnovers.

The Beavers were led by Chris Stephens' 17 points, but it was OSU's ability to keep Farmar from penetrating the lane off screens that was the biggest difference between this game and UCLA's win a week ago, when Farmar had 23 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.

``We just wanted to make Jordan Farmar have to work because he is their engine,'' Beavers coach Jay John said. ``We didn't want to give him the opportunity to turn the corner, because if he turns the corner, he'll rip you apart.''

Of course, OSU could cause UCLA even more anxiety if the Beavers go on to win the conference title, which would raise the question of whether the Pac-10 would get five teams into the tournament.

``I think there's a big chance we won't get in,'' Farmar said. ``There's plenty of teams out there with 18 wins that are on the bubble. You never know.''

The Bruins put themselves in this predicament because of an atrocious first half Thursday. OSU, which led by 22 points with 1:28 before halftime, shot 59.3 percent and led 45-30 at intermission.

UCLA climbed within 55-51 with a 10-0 run midway through the second half, but the Beavers re-established their inside play with, David Lucas (11 points) and Nick DeWitz (15 points) to close out the win.

``They shot the ball well and I can't take credit (away) from them for shooting the ball well, but part of that is we didn't come in with intensity and fire,'' Afflalo said. ``We just played this team a week ago. I was kind of disappointed. In a game like this, there's no excuse for it. I can't even give you a reason.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Jordan Farmar and the rest of the Bruins await their NCAA Tournament fate after Thursday's loss.

(2) Brian Morrison, left, and Jordan Farmar get tied up with Oregon State's Chris Stephens, center.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

Box:

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