LAS VEGAS -- UCLA's chances of a deep NCAA tournament run took a major hit Friday when second-leading scorer Jordan Adams was lost for the season with a broken bone in his right foot.
Adams' injury occurred on the final play of the Bruins' 66-64 victory over Arizona in the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament on Friday night. Adams, who scored a team-high 24 points, was among the players trying to defend a potential game-tying shot by Wildcats forward Solomon Hill as time expired.
Adams, a 6-foot-5 freshman guard, didn't seem seriously injured as the final buzzer sounded. He hobbled through the handshake line and then retreated to the locker for X-rays. Within a half hour, it was announced that Adams had broken the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
The news was devastating to Adams' teammates, who within seconds went from being on an emotional high after Friday's come-from-behind win, to downright distraught. Point guard Larry Drew II had tears streaming down his face as he spoke with reporters.
"It's been hard for us all year, with the transfers and the little nagging injuries and now this," Drew II said. "It's tough. But there's something about this team. We find ways to make things happen when it seems like all is lost."
The Bruins (25-8) have proven resilient time and time again this season. They bounced back from an early-season loss to Cal Poly and the transfer of two players (Josh Smith and Tyler Lamb) to win the Pac-12 regular-season championship. Now the Bruins are one win away from claiming the Pac-12 tournament title.
Ben Howland's squad will face Oregon for the tournament title on Saturday. Backup Norman Powell, who averages six points and two rebounds, is expected to fill in for Adams.
"I just know we've got tough guys out there -- physically and mentally and psychologically," freshman guard Kyle Anderson said. "Norman Powell is a really tough player. It's a terrible loss, but it's not as bad knowing that we've got him coming in to fill that spot.
"It's going to be tough to go without him, but it's all part of handling adversity, and that's something we've shown we're pretty good at."