UCLA’s defense wilts, Bruins lose key game against Gonzaga

SEATTLE — They tried a zone defense. They tried to bring Tyler Bilodeau back to center. They double- and triple-teamed in the post. They showed defense to start one possession, only to move on to another.

Nothing the UCLA Bruins did to combat their lack of rim protection worked for more than a few possessions at a time.

That’s how a coach known for his defense had to watch his team get pummeled again inside while giving up an unusually frightening number of easy baskets.

“We just couldn’t get the job done defensively,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said.

UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau looks to shoot under pressure from Gonzaga guard Adam Miller (23) and center Graham Ike (15) Saturday in Seattle.

(Jason Redmond / Associated Press)

There appears to be no quick defensive solution in sight for No. 25 UCLA after suffering an 82-72 loss to No. 8 Gonzaga on Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena in the West Coast Hoops Showdown, with the Bruins faltering late in their final bid to secure a non-conference triumph.

UCLA was outplayed inside, with the Bulldogs’ tandem of Graham Ike (25 points) and Braden Huff (21 points) succeeding at the rim too often thanks to their ability to make left-handed moves that shouldn’t have been surprising.

“Our problem,” Cronin said, “is we can’t keep up with the scouting report, we’re not playing smart.”

It also didn’t help that UCLA’s execution late in the game was once again pitiful, with point guard Donovan Dent doing too little once he got to the rim thanks to a flurry of missed shots and bad passes.

“I had some stupid turnovers that I just can’t have,” said Dent, whose 12 points and 10 assists were partially offset by his four turnovers. “Two [turnovers] for lay-ups; we said turnovers for touchdowns were going to kill us.

UCLA (7-3) lost despite shooting 49 percent and making seven of 15 three-pointers, as the Bulldogs (10-1) shot 50 percent, made 13 more free throws and grabbed seven more rebounds. Cronin said the free throw discrepancy was due to his team not being in a defensive position.

Bilodeau’s 24 points were just a footnote after his teammates failed to get him the ball in favorable enough positions, particularly when he was guarded by a smaller defender. UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. also developed an overreliance on jump shots while finishing with six points and five rebounds in 34 minutes.

At the start of the second half, a sequence suggested a different ending.

UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) dribbles past Gonzaga center Graham Ike, right, and guard Mario Saint-Supéry (17) Saturday in Seattle.

(Jason Redmond / Associated Press)

A slight “UCLA!” » a chant broke out among the heavily pro-Gonzaga crowd after the Bruins went on a defense-sparked 9-0 run.

A steal by Dent led to a layup by Brandon Williams in transition, a steal by Dailey allowed him to throw down a reverse dunk on the fast break, then a block by Bilodeau resulted in a layup by Dent.

The Bruins suddenly took a one-point lead and their defensive problems from earlier in the game were momentarily forgotten.

But soon, Bilodeau picked up his third foul and left, leading to a Gonzaga surge in which the Bulldogs outscored the Bruins 10-4 to regain control. Dent said the Bulldogs’ passing in a zone for about three minutes confused the Bruins’ offense.

Cronin also lamented that Williams – who had been playing solid defense off the bench – sprained his ankle and had to leave after just five minutes.

This was a game that UCLA had to win as an NCAA tournament resume builder, given the lack of significant wins and a relatively bad loss to California. The Bruins’ final non-conference games — against Arizona State, Cal Poly and UC Riverside — can’t do much to improve their prospects, meaning they’ll need an elite performance in Big Ten play to secure a good seed in March.

Gonzaga center Graham Ike shoots the ball as UCLA forward Steven Jamerson II defends Saturday in Seattle.

(Jason Redmond / Associated Press)

UCLA reverted to its old look on the final possessions before halftime, putting Bilodeau at center. There seemed to be little choice given starting center Xavier Booker’s inability to protect the rim and save Steven Jamerson’s three fouls that sent him to the bench.

Bilodeau made matters worse by committing a stupid foul near midcourt with just four seconds left before halftime, sending Gonzaga’s Mario Saint-Supery to the free throw line for the points that gave the Bulldogs a 45-40 lead at midgame.

“We showed the zone, we went for it man, they have no idea, four seconds left, just step back and the guy takes a desperation shot,” Cronin said of what should have happened during the play. “Why are you skipping it? It’s just basic basketball and we were struggling with it. We have good kids and they’re trying, we just have to play smarter.”

How does Cronin’s team do it?

“Teach, watch film, continue to teach, remain relentless – we must remain relentless,” he said.

Gonzaga guard Jalen Warley, right, drives as UCLA forward Xavier Booker defends him during the first half Saturday.

(Jason Redmond / Associated Press)

Cronin said it’s critical to build a culture in which players know why they’re winning, which has become much more difficult in the free agency era with constant player movement.

“It’s hard,” Cronin said of forging that culture. “It’s a lot easier if you have more money.”

The Bruins’ bad habits kept them from having more success against Gonzaga after finally breaking through last year, a three-point victory at the Intuit Dome momentarily pushing back memories of heartbreaking NCAA Tournament uprisings that were part of the Bulldogs’ four straight wins.

Cronin said he hopes the series will be extended, although that’s probably not on his list of concerns at the moment. At the top, we need to get back to playing competent defense.