NEW YORK –
UCLA was out-savvied by a team starting five true freshmen.
UCLA was out-hustled by a team down to just six players in its rotation.
And UCLA ultimately was outplayed by a team that had lost its previous four games by a combined 87 points.
St. John’s sent UCLA back across the country with a 66-63 loss at Madison Square Garden in front of 7,305 and many more watching CBS’s marquee Saturday afternoon game.
The Bruins’ lights flickered out quickly, though, as the Red Storm clearly displayed more energy and emotion.
“They played very inspired,” UCLA senior guard Jerime Anderson said. “They played like they’ve had a tough time the last few games and they really wanted to come out and get the win. They got to most of the loose balls, offensive rebounds – that really hurt us.”
The Bruins hurt themselves more:
By turning the ball over with ruthless efficiency, finishing with 16, including eight by sophomore guard Tyler Lamb alone.
By failing to box out, particularly when it mattered most, as Red Storm freshman guard Phil Greene tipped in a D’Angelo Harrison 3-point miss right over Anderson with six seconds left to give St. John’s a four-point lead.
And, most egregious, by playing with the gusto of a napping sloth as St. John’s played as if the ball was made of 24-karat gold.
“They had the sense of urgency to go and get the rebound and they made it happen,” Lamb said. “They made that win happen.”
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