IU basketball: UCLA 72 Indiana 68 — Three keys, highlights, final stats

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana lost to UCLA at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday evening by a final score of 72-68.

The Bruins led 35-25 at the half. Indiana was led in the game by Luke Goode with 16 points. Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako with 14.

The three keys to the game, highlights and final stats are below.

For Mike Woodson postgame, GO HERE. For UCLA’s Mick Cronin postgame, GO HERE.

Indiana (15-11, 6-9) will host Purdue a week from Sunday.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Limited guard production. Indiana’s Myles Rice, Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal and Kanaan Carlyle combined for just 15 points on 6-of-20 shooting. UCLA’s ball pressure forced the ball out their hands all evening. There wasn’t enough production from the backcourt to supplement good games from wings Mackenzie Mgbako and Luke Goode, and an efficient night from Malik Reneau.

2. Another slow start. UCLA ran out to a 29-17 late first half lead. The Hoosiers were the better team in the second half and cut the deficit to two late. But they’d never lead after the break. IU’s offense struggled in the first half, making just 32.1% of their shots, along with four turnovers, for .86 points per possession before the break. It was the latest in several sluggish starts by the Hoosiers this season.

3. Bruins connect from three. UCLA made the shots from three that Michigan State missed earlier in the week against the IU zone. For the game the Bruins made 9-of-20 from three. IU made seven of their own but shot just 24.1% from behind the arc. UCLA was 5-of-10 from three in the second half, and always seemed to have an answer as Indiana tried to rally.

HIGHLIGHTS