UCLA falls to Kansas, 73-61

Two words come to mind when analyzing UCLA’s 12-point loss to Kansas on Sunday: Sloppy and scrappy.

The Bruins committed 11 first-half turnovers, 15 for the game, and at one point committed five times in eight possessions, with three missed shots.

For the game, UCLA shot just 36.1 percent from the field and 58 percent from the free-throw line.

However, there were glimpses…

…Reeves Nelson’s first start was a daunting task, squaring off against preseason All-American center Cole Aldrich. Nelson responded by holding Aldrich to just seven points, though 12 rebounds, despite being limited to 23 minutes after he was poked in the eye. Nelson finished with nine points and nine boards, including a pretty rebound and up-and-under.

…Tyler Honeycutt’s first game of the season was a mix of athleticism of frustration, as the talented forward out of Sylmar had six rebounds but shot just 1-for-6 from the field.

… Jerime Anderson had his best passing game of the season, with a 5-2 assist-to-turnover ratio and some sharp perimeter movement.

Ultimately, though, Kansas was too big – backup forward Markieff Morris punished Nikola Dragovic in the post to the tune of 19 points and six rebounds – and too talented to lose.