Friday night wasn’t the first time this season that the
UCLA men’s basketball team was a lot better than its
opponent.
It was simply the first time that the Bruins decided to show it
for an entire game.
No. 12 UCLA (10-1) shot 67.3 percent from the field and ran away
with an 86-56 victory over Sacramento State (8-5) in the
team’s final tune-up before conference play begins Dec. 29 at
home against Stanford.
“It was a good thing tonight that we were able to come out
with some intensity and maintain it for 40 minutes,” said
sophomore guard Arron Afflalo, who led all scorers with 22
points.
Following a handful of home games where UCLA played down to the
level of lesser opponents, Friday presented a truly welcome sight.
The Bruins, who are off to their best start since the 1995 season,
built an 18-2 lead to start the game and never allowed the Hornets
closer than 8 points the rest of the way.
“I’m excited about the fact that we were finally
able to beat someone handily here in Pauley Pavilion,” coach
Ben Howland said.
Friday’s victory was the kind of game where almost
everything came together, as the Bruins collectively produced an
awfully attractive stat sheet.
In addition to shooting nearly 70 percent, UCLA won the
rebounding battle 43-25, had eight blocks, and most impressively,
28 of the team’s 37 field goals came off assists.
The team’s stellar passing led to easy basket after easy
basket, which explains the astonishing field goal percentage, and
it had Howland singing his players’ praises following the
final whistle.
“To have 28 assists on 37 baskets is very exciting,”
Howland said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with all the
assists.”
Howland is also understandably pleased with how things have gone
thus far this season, especially considering the slew of injuries
the team has had to overcome.
Sophomore guard Josh Shipp (hip injury), still hasn’t
played a game, though he is expected to make his season debut
against Stanford.
Senior center Michael Fey is still not 100 percent after
sustaining a groin injury early in the season.
Freshman forward Alfred Aboya (knee) has appeared in just five
games, though he turned in his most productive performance of the
season Friday with 12 points and two rebounds.
To put it in perspective, UCLA has had just one practice this
season in which everyone has participated.
“We’ve played some very good teams so far, and
I’m very pleased how our team has responded to all the
adversity,” Howland said. “If we get everybody healthy,
this team has a chance to be an outstanding team in
time.”
Following Wednesday night’s tense 74-72 victory over
Wagner, the Bruins responded in emphatic fashion against the
Hornets, leaving little doubt that they would control the game.
At one point in the first half, UCLA had a blocked shot on three
consecutive Sacramento State possessions.
Sophomore center Lorenzo Mata, who started Friday night,
finished with four blocks to go with his six points and seven
rebounds.
“It feels great after coming back from a tough game
against Wagner,” Mata said. “We wanted to play good
defense and come back here and try to blow a team out and make a
name for ourselves.”
Afflalo, who entered Friday’s contest leading the team
with 17.8 points per game, once again did his part. His 22 points
were just one short of his career high, and he should have had a
chance to set a new mark at the free throw line.
With 4:06 to play in the game, Afflalo drove hard to the basket,
got fouled, and fell awkwardly. It appeared that he had violently
banged his head against the floor, though he said afterward that he
only hit his elbow. Up 27 at that point, Howland erred on the side
of caution and sat Afflalo down for the rest of the night, two free
throws shy of a new career high.
“I was definitely aware that I was two points away, but we
were up 30, so I just had to let it go,” Afflalo said.
“It’s not that big a deal.”
Freshman forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was once again
spectacular on the glass, finishing with 11 rebounds and 13 points.
Mbah a Moute has led UCLA in rebounding in all 11 games this
season.
The only real blemish for the Bruins Friday night was their 21
turnovers, but it was a small negative on a night of many
positives.
In many ways, it was a statement night for the Bruins. They have
successfully navigated a difficult non-conference schedule, and now
the real fun is set to begin.
DRIBBLERS: Senior center Ryan Hollins strained
his groin in warm-ups Friday night, and Howland didn’t have a
report on him after the game. Howland said it is the first time in
his coaching history that a player has injured himself in the
lay-up line. “¦ Mbah a Moute’s double-double was his
third of the season. “¦ Fey’s lay-up with 20 seconds
remaining were his first points since Nov. 29. “¦ Freshman
guard Kelvin Kim entered the game to a standing ovation with just
under two minutes remaining.