No. 7 UCLA runs away from CU Buffs down the stretch – The Denver Post

LOS ANGELES — The Colorado men’s basketball team has made a habit of playing to the level of its competition for much of the season.

The Buffaloes did it again for much of Saturday’s showdown at No. 7 UCLA, but the Bruins dominated when it mattered most.

Thwarted once again by their own turnovers, CU dropped a 68-54 decision in a Pac-12 Conference battle at Pauley Pavilion. It was UCLA’s 13th consecutive victory and its sixth in the past seven games against Colorado. It was CU’s 16th consecutive loss against a ranked foe in a true road game.

Two days after committing 22 turnovers at USC, the Buffs recorded 23 at UCLA, leading to a 25-6 advantage for the Bruins in points off turnovers. Much like the USC loss, the Buffs’ defense and rebounding were good enough to win on the road, but the giveaways were far too much to overcome.

The Buffs led throughout an almost 20-minute stretch from late in the first half until the midway point of the second half, taking a nine-point lead on a three-point play from KJ Simpson with 10 minutes, 21 seconds remaining. Yet CU didn’t get another field goal for more than 9 minutes.

UCLA responded to Simpson’s three-point play by scoring 17 consecutive points in what turned into a 24-3 run for the Bruins. The Bruins also grabbed 18 offensive rebounds to post a 14-1 edge in second chance points. UCLA also recorded 11 blocked shots after the Buffs had nine shots blocked at USC.

Simpson led the Buffs with 17 points but finished 5 for 15 with four turnovers. Javon Ruffin came off the bench to score 11 points.

No. 7 UCLA 68, Colorado 54

COLORADO (11-8, 3-5 Pac-12)