Ucla Nudges Arizona O’Bannon Hits From Long Range As Bruins Increase Pac-10 Lead

Ed O’Bannon was in a rare 3-point shooting zone Sunday and none of the defenses attempted by 12th-ranked Arizona could stop him.

Sixth-ranked UCLA survived two 3-pointers by Arizona in the final 14 seconds to prevail 72-70 and deliver a serious blow to the Wildcats’ Pacific10 Conference title hopes.

O’Bannon scored a career-high 31 points, including 4-of-5 shooting on 3-pointers, and freshman reserve Toby Bailey added 19 points and some key defensive help against Arizona point guard Damon Stoudamire, who finished with 26 points.

“My shot was falling and the guards were getting me the ball,” said O’Bannon, who had 10 rebounds. “As a team, it was one of our best games. We fought through adversity.”

The victory gave the Bruins (11-2, 18-2) a season sweep of Arizona and a two-game Pac-10 lead over the Wildcats (9-4, 19-6).

The game’s key matchup was supposed to be Stoudamire against old friend Tyus Edney at guard, but O’Bannon’s hot start and Bailey’s play ended up as the difference between the West’s two best teams.

“In the first half, it seemed like Ed O’Bannon was everywhere. It hurts to lose to UCLA. This was like a title game,” Stoudamire said. “We missed easy baskets, easy putbacks and didn’t convert free throws.”

UCLA led 67-64 with 1:42 to play, but after a timeout, failed to shoot before the 35-second clock expired.

Arizona took the ball up court, but Ray Owes missed a three from the corner with less than a minute to go.

Charles O’Bannon was fouled by Joseph Blair and made one of two free throws. The Wildcats missed at their end before Bailey took a pass at midcourt, dribbled behind his back and dunked on Arizona guard Reggie Geary for a 70-64 lead with 20 seconds remaining.

“I was trying to beat him (Geary) for the ball. I just threw it behind my back instinctively. There was no way I wasn’t going to dunk,” said Bailey, whose two 3-pointers were UCLA’s only other long-range baskets.

Stoudamire rushed upcourt and hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 70-67 with 14 seconds left. The Wildcats fouled Ed O’Bannon on the inbounds pass and he made both free throws as UCLA led 72-67 with 11 seconds to go.

Geary responded with a 3-pointer and the Wildcats called timeout trailing 72-70 with 3 seconds to play.

Ed O’Bannon tossed the ball nearly the length of the court on the inbounds play and Bailey caught it as time expired.

“It was just too much Ed O’Bannon. He was brilliant today,” Bruins coach Jim Harrick said. “They tried a box and chase, a zone and man-to-man and they still couldn’t stop him.”

Stoudamire was 4-of-7 from longrange, made all seven of his free throws and had six assists. Blair added 15 points and Geary 13.

Stoudamire didn’t score his first points of the second half until two free throws at 10:44 that drew Arizona within five, and then he made just one basket in the next four minutes.

“I can’t blame Stoudamire for not scoring (in the second half). The point guard’s job is to direct the game,” Arizona coach Lute Olson said. “Stoudamire has the freedom to shoot 3s when he’s on a roll. But we must have balance to win.”