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No. 22 UCLA holds off Drexel 72-67 in Steve Alford's debut as Bruins coach

Associated Press
Published | Updated

UCLA head coach Steve Alford claps for his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Drexel, Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

Drexel guard Frantz Massenat, right, drives to the basket as UCLA guard Bryce Alford defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

Jordan Adams scored 16 points and No. 22 UCLA held off Drexel 72-67 Friday night in Steve Alford's debut as coach of the Bruins.

Zach LaVine and David Wear added 14 points each, and Kyle Anderson had 12 points, 12 rebounds and tied his career high with seven assists for the Bruins, who let an early 13-point lead dwindle to one with 2:19 to play.

Frantz Massenat scored 20 points, Damion Lee added 17 points and Dartaye Ruffin had 13 rebounds for the Dragons, who traveled cross-country from Philadelphia to play a game that started at midnight EST.

There were plenty of empty seats for Alford's first game since taking over from Ben Howland, fired in March after a 10-year run that included three consecutive Final Four appearances.