Posted at 7:31 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, 2006
UCLA captures Maui Invitational basketball title
Associated Press
LAHAINA, Maui — UCLA added another one to its crowded trophy case.The fifth-ranked Bruins took control early with tenacious defense and hot shooting and beat No. 19 Georgia Tech 88-73 on Wednesday night in the championship game of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.
The Wayne Duke Trophy that's headed home with the Bruins might not be as impressive as the ones they have for their record 11 national championships, but there was little doubt it was theirs Wednesday night.
Arron Afflalo bounced back from a poor shooting game in the semifinals to score 19 points for the Bruins (4-0), who were in this tournament for the third time.
Darren Collison, selected tournament MVP, had 15 points and seven assists for the Bruins, who shot 61 percent (20-for-33) in taking a 47-36 halftime lead. They extended it to as many as 22 points in the second half, and the Yellow Jackets were never able to get closer than 12 down the stretch.
Luc Richard Mbah A Moute had 14 points and Lorenzo Mata had nine points and 10 rebounds for the Bruins.
Lewis Clinch had 21 points for Georgia Tech (5-1), which got to the championship game by overcoming a 16-point halftime deficit to beat No. 12 Memphis 92-85.
UCLA not only didn't allow the Yellow Jackets to stage a second straight comeback, the Bruins kept up the solid defense that allowed them to score transition baskets and pound it inside for a total of 38 points in the paint.
