NCAA Midwest: Bruins shut down Maryland, 105-70

MINNEAPOLIS -- The UCLA Bruins probably haven't looked this dominant since guys named Alcindor and Walton were wearing blue and gold. <br><br>The Bruins' late-season roll reached its peak as UCLA

Saturday, March 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MINNEAPOLIS -- The UCLA Bruins probably haven't looked this dominant since guys named Alcindor and Walton were wearing blue and gold.

The Bruins' late-season roll reached its peak as UCLA put on a stunning offensive display in a 105-70 victory over Maryland Saturday night in the Midwest Regional.

UCLA, which barely made the tournament field after a 19-11 regular season, won its eighth straight game and advanced to the round of 16 to face Iowa State next week.

Earl Watson had 17 points and a school-record 16 assists as the sixth-seeded Bruins connected on six fearsome alley-oops, a school-record 14 3-pointers and absolutely everything in between. Spectacular plays began to pile up as UCLA embarrassed the third-seeded Terrapins' ACC-best defense.

Watson, heavily criticized earlier this season for his point guard play, answered all of his detractors with a dominant performance that awed the Metrodome crowd and his teammates alike. His assists also set a Midwest Regional record and tied the NCAA tournament record for assists in a first- or second-round game.

The Bruins closed the first half with a 22-7 run and made a 16-2 run to start the second half, going up 76-41 just seven minutes after halftime. UCLA shot 74 percent before the final minutes and also played impressive defense, limiting Juan Dixon to 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting.