UCLA defeats Arizona, 75-69, in Pac-10 tournament
Reeves Nelson is back. Is he ever.
The freshman forward scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, pushing UCLA to a 75-69 victory over Arizona Thursday afternoon in a quarterfinal of the Pacific Life Pac-10 Tournament at Staples Center.
Nelson, who missed the last four games following laser surgery to repair a partially torn retina, had no trouble finding the basket. He made eight of nine despite a few problems -- fogging, a nose piece falling out -- with protective goggles he was wearing.
UCLA (14-17) will play either California, the conference’s regular-season champion, or Oregon in a semifinal Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The Bruins shot 64% in the first half and led, 37-33, with Nelson and Michael Roll providing the offensive push.
Nelson had 12 points at halftime, making all six of his shots. Roll, a senior, made five of 10 shots and also had 12 points at the half.
Roll and Nikola Dragovic each finished with 18 points.
Arizona (16-15) defeated UCLA twice in the regular season, coming back from a 14-point second-half deficit last week in Tucson to win 78-73.
Kyle Fogg, who had 26 and 25 points in the Wildcats' victories over UCLA this season, was held to 10 points.
We will have more on the game soon at latimes.com/sports.
-- Chris Foster
Photo: UCLA's Reeves Nelson fakes Arizona's Kyryl Natyazhko into the air before taking a shot in the first half Thursday. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
