Aaron Afflalo Paces UCLA Win

When it came time for a big game, UCLA star Aaron Afflalo came up big with a primetime performance. Though the Bruin guard had struggled in recent big games, he looked to be on a mission in UCLA's 68-55 victory over Kansas in Saturday's Elite Eight game.

Afflalo scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to pace a UCLA run that sent Kansas home. The Jayhawks led for much of what was a back and forth first half, but a late UCLA run gave the Bruins a lead that they never relinquished. It was the smooth play of Afflalo and the quickness of point guard Darren Collison that led the UCLA effort. Following the game, both were found wearing commemorative t-shirts and hats as UCLA fans chanted, "One more year!" in the direction of the junior Afflalo.

For the first time in a long time, the junior looked ready for the NBA. He hit a big three pointer to give UCLA the lead with under a minute left in the first half, then found fellow guard Josh Shipp in the corner for another triple as the clock expired. The Kansas defense had previously held each of their opponents this season to less than fifty percent shooting from the field. For the game, UCLA shot 55%, including a 58% figure in the second half. Much of that offensive efficiency was due to the dribble penetration of Collison and the hot shooting of Afflalo.

Kansas guard Brandon Rush paced the Jayhawks on the offensive end, scoring 18 points and pulling down five rebounds. He was rendered somewhat ineffective in the second half, though, as UCLA turned the game into a track meet where defense was at a premium. The two teams combined to make 32 steals and a total number of 46 turnovers. Usually, games like that could be linked directly to sloppy offense. In this case, it was the quick hands UCLA's Darren Collison that caused many of the errant plays.

The win sends the Bruins to their second consecutive Final Four and will give them an opportunity to match-up with the winner of a Sunday tilt between Florida and Oregon. UCLA fans will be happy to know that they've got Afflalo for at least one more college game. If he can continue to play the way he did Saturday, the Bruins might be celebrating their second straight trip to the national championship game.