After four postponements, two flights to the Pacific Northwest and three months’ worth of frustration, UCLA finally got to play Oregon in a high-stakes matchup involving the two teams atop the Pac-12 Conference standings.
It wasn’t worth the wait.
Wilting in the final minutes for the second time in five days, the Bruins couldn’t withstand the Ducks’ heightened pressure or match their poise during a crushing 82-74 loss Wednesday night at Matthew Knight Arena.
It was reminiscent of UCLA’s defeat against Colorado last weekend, only worse. The Bruins committed 12 of their 14 turnovers in the second half and lost a nine-point lead over the final 11 minutes.