Sports

Jordan Adams leads No. 23 UCLA past California 86-66 to keep pace in Pac-12 title race

Associated Press
Published | Updated

UCLA's Kyle Anderson, right, drives against California's Jabari Bird during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

UCLA's Tony Parker scores against California during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

Jordan Adams scored 28 points and No. 23 UCLA returned to the national rankings with an impressive 86-66 victory against California on Wednesday night to keep pace in the Pac-12 title chase.

Kyle Anderson had 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Bruins (21-5, 10-3), who won their fourth straight game and seventh in eight. UCLA remained a game behind Pac-12 leader Arizona, which won in overtime at Utah.

Jordan Mathews scored 16 off the bench for cold-shooting Cal (17-9, 8-5), which couldn't pull off the same spectacular finish at raucous Haas Pavilion as it did in stunning then-No. 1 and unbeaten Arizona 60-58 on Feb. 1.

Adams shot 12 for 19 and scored five straight points midway through the second half that put the Bruins ahead 71-50 with 9:24 remaining. He also had six rebounds and five assists. Travis Wear added 13 points.