Wanted: Killer Instinct. Will pay top dollar. Please contact Steve Alford asap.
The #4 UCLA Bruins outlasted and survived the unranked Cal Berkeley Bears 81-71 last night, but there is a big problem: The Bruins almost failed to hold onto a game that they led by 24 points with less than 14 minutes left. This is not the first time they have squandered a lead late in a game. Kentucky closed the gap, and Oregon overcame a late deficit, just to name two besides Cal.
The Bruins are just too good to let this happen repeatedly. Earlier in the season, they made a habit of wearing opponents down with their fast pace, often pulling away in the second halves.