UCLA Can’t Keep Up With Arizona, 90-78

A 3 1/2-minute scoring lapse to end the first half set up UCLA for its sixth loss in eight games Friday night.

With the score tied, 33-33, Arizona went on a 13-6 run to the end the half and was never threatened en route to a 90-78 victory before 844 at Pauley Pavilion.

The Wildcats, 18-4 overall and 8-3 in the Pacific 10, won their fifth consecutive game and will try to gain ground on second-place USC on Sunday at the Lyon Center.

UCLA (10-11, 4-8) had three players in double figures Friday, made 23 of 28 free throws, but committed 30 turnovers, including 20 in the first half.

Against the Pac-10’s second-ranked defense--Coach Joan Bonvicini calls this the best defensive team of her six Arizona seasons--the Bruins were swallowed up by attacking players like Adia Barnes (four steals, 20 points, six assists) and Felecity Willis, who crowded UCLA passing lanes and prevented the Bruins from mounting a second-half rally.

Kathy Olivier’s team fell behind, 13-2, at the outset, but three-point baskets, one by Tawana Grimes and two by Melanie Pearson, enabled UCLA to get back into the game. Four Maylana Martin free throws tied it, 33-33.

Pearson and Martin led the Bruins with 20 -points apiece.