No. 4 UCLA rallies to beat Stanford 73-64 behind Jaquez

LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA came in way too cocky,according to coach Mick Cronin, and it nearly cost the Bruins.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 26 points and fourth-ranked UCLA ralliedin the second half to beat Stanford 73-64 on Thursday night,improving to 14-0 at home this season.

“We weren’t ready for the fight,” Cronin said, adding: “They dugit out tonight.”

The Bruins got outplayed in the first half, then built a lead inthe second half only to fall behind again before closing out their22nd consecutive home victory dating to last season — the nation’slongest current streak.

“We did come in a little overconfident. Sometimes that happens,”Jaquez said. “It was also good to get checked by Stanford in thefirst half and realize we’ve got to stay humble and composed. Thisis the time of year anything can happen. I said in the huddle, ‘Wegot an opportunity and let’s not mess this up.’”

Jaylen Clark added 16 points for the first-place Bruins (22-4,13-2 Pac-12), who have won five in a row overall.

Michael Jones scored 15 points to lead Stanford (11-15, 5-10),and Harrison Ingram added 13. Maxime Raynaud had 12 points and 10rebounds. Spencer Jones, the Cardinal’s leading scorer at 13.7points per game, was held to six.

The Bruins burst out to start the second half, outscoring theCardinal 16-4 to take a 43-36 lead. Clark stole the ball fromMichael O’Connell and dunked, then he hit a 3-pointer before Jaquezcompleted a three-point play to cap the spurt.

“This is my last year and I realized I’ve only got so many gamesleft, so I’m going down swinging,” said Jaquez, who made 9 of 11free throws and had nine rebounds and three assists.

Stanford responded with a 14-2 run, including 12 in a row, to goback in front, 50-45. Michael Jones scored seven straight pointsand Spencer Jones dunked.

The Cardinal had five players in foul trouble in the secondhalf: O’Connell, Michael Jones, Spencer Jones, Ingram and Raynaud.O’Connell fouled out in the closing seconds.

Four times the Bruins clawed within one. Clark grabbed adefensive rebound and streaked down the court to dunk and put UCLAahead, 58-57.

After Ingram’s jumper cut the Bruins’ lead to one, WillMcClendon hit a high-arcing 3-pointer in front of UCLA’s bench thatextended their lead to 63-59. UCLA made all eight of its freethrows down the stretch to seal the win.

Stanford controlled the first half and led 31-27. The Cardinalwere better than the Bruins in shooting (48%), rebounding (22-15),bench points (10-5) and paint points (22-12). Stanford was in frontfor 17 1/2 minutes of the half, and its largest lead was eightpoints.

BIG PICTURE

Stanford: The Cardinal came into Pauley Pavilion full ofconfidence, having beaten then-No. 4 Arizona last week for theirfirst win over a top-four team since 2007. But they couldn’t makeshots in the closing minutes against the Bruins’ defense.

UCLA: The Bruins have four games remaining until facing theirlast ranked opponent of the regular season, No. 8 Arizona at homeon March 4. They figure to have no problem against last-placeCalifornia before going on their final road trip.

SITTING TYGER

Cronin kept Tyger Campbell and Amari Bailey on the bench tostart the second half.

“It would have been bad coaching to start them,” Cronin said.“They didn’t have a basket, deflection or rebound (in the firsthalf).”

Campbell re-entered with 16 1/2 minutes remaining. He hit a big3-pointer that cut the Bruins’ deficit to one and also fedMcClendon for his critical 3 when UCLA led 60-59. Dylan Andrewsalso got 13 minutes of playing time and scored three points.

“It was amazing to see Will and Dylan coming off the bench tomake plays for us,” David Singleton said. “For those guys to stepup big in games like this, we really showed the depth of ourteam.”

UP NEXT

Stanford: Visits Southern California on Saturday.

UCLA: Hosts California on Saturday.