PALO ALTO “”mdash; The road doesn’t get any easier for UCLA
as the Bruins play California at Haas Pavilion on Saturday. The
Golden Bears beat USC 63-62 Thursday behind two last-second free
throws from point guard Ayinde Ubaka. Cal improved to 7-8 overall
and 3-3 in the Pac-10. Cal is led by star freshman forward Leon
Powe, who leads the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game. He
also leads the conference in rebounds at 9.5 per game. Powe
finished with 14 points and eight rebounds against the Trojans.
Ubaka and forward Marquise Kately are also freshmen making an
immediate impact in Berkeley. A win against Cal is crucial,
considering UCLA is currently on a two-game losing streak after
falling to then-No. 7 Arizona and No. 2 Stanford. Containing Powe
is the key, as the Bruins have been out-muscled in the low post and
out-rebounded their last two games. The Bruins will be without the
services of junior shooting guard Brian Morrison for the ninth
straight game, according to coach Ben Howland.
CARDINAL RED: UCLA center Michael Fey might
have been dominated for most of the game Thursday, but it was
Stanford forward Josh Childress who was mad after one particular
tussle down low. With seven minutes remaining in the game, the two
went up for a rebound, and Childress fell to the floor, with the
out-of-bounds possession going to UCLA. Childress then stalked
after Fey and had to be restrained by a teammate. Fey walked
away.
DRIBBLERS: Before Thursday, UCLA’s past
five games at Maples Pavilion were decided by six points or less.
The Bruins continued their frustration at the free-throw line,
going 6-for-11.