The UCLA men’s basketball team has regained its star
player. Jason Kapono never disappeared but he reemerged to ignite
the Bruins’ first victory of the season by posting his
career-high 28 points against Long Beach State. Kapono has scored
the same amount four other times in his career but the Bruins were
happy to get Kapono’s effort in the 81-58 win. “It
feels good to have a Jason Kapono on the team,” sophomore
guard Ryan Walcott said. “He makes our offense run much more
easy and when he’s good, he’s really good.”
Kapono was all over the floor against the 49ers. He recorded seven
rebounds and converted 40 percent of his three-point attempts.
“We need Jason a lot and he should bring it every
game,” freshman Ryan Hollins said. Kapono brought it, and
with 14 minutes remaining in the second half he had 25 points, half
of the team’s total. His presence and play was imperative to
seal the win. “He opens things up when he’s aggressive
and he tries to score,” UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said.
“We create opportunities for Jason and (the opponent’s)
defense can’t locate him.” Long Beach State knew that
Kapono was going to be a main factor in the game. The team focused
their attention on him but it was not enough. “He’s an
All-American,” 49ers guard Tony Darden said. “The game
plan was to slow him but he’s too good.” Despite the
good game, Kapono still got down on himself after the win. He is
not a perfectionist but he always tries to perfect his game for his
team. “I missed my only free throw and my last three point
attempts,” he said. “Every time I score 28 points, I
get stuck there. I was trying to get past it, get 31.” A new
career best would not have mattered, though. While the Bruins
totaled five field goals to Kapono’s seven in the first half,
the team cut him some slack in the second. The team shot 60 percent
to put UCLA over the top for good. Kapono had 13 points of his own
in the second half. “I’m just going to have to score
for all 40 minutes,” he said. “For the team to win, I
am going to have to score.” The team is thankful of the win
and of Kapono’s play, but for future games, the Bruins know
they will need to find other shooters and win with a team effort.
“The beauty about this team is we have a bunch of guys that
are easily capable of taking over our team,” senior guard Ray
Young said. “Other people will step up because we have a
great balance.”