In the second half against Davidson Saturday, guard Russell Westbrook showed off some tenacious defense. Westbrook got into the passing lane for a steal and then went end to end for the lay in to give UCLA a 48-41 lead.
Coach Ben Howland’s team is known for playing tough defense. Saturday it could not have been more apparent.
UCLA won by 12 points, 75-63, with a big part of its scoring beginning at the defensive end. UCLA scored 25 points off Davidson turnovers, while giving up only nine points off of its own miscues. The Bruins also had 12 fast break points, in comparison to just two for the Wildcats.
“We definitely try to make it a point of emphasis to push the ball,” forward Josh Shipp said. “I think that most of it comes from playing that great defense. Causing turnovers, we pick up the pace. Our big men play us for a lot of easy baskets on the break and those baskets are key and devastating to the other team.”
The Bruins had trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, giving up a lot of 3-pointers and then forcing possessions on offense. Once Howland’s players returned to playing tight defense the Bruins took control of the game, going into halftime down only four points.
“Offense and defense work together,” Howland said. “I thought a couple times we took some quick bad shots offensively and they turned into fast breaks for their team.
“They were penetrating and then kicking out to open shooters for three. I thought our defense got us back into the game, tightened things up after the first 12 minutes.”
Westbrook was at the center of the defensive picture for UCLA Saturday. Matched up for the majority of the game against Davidson’s most dangerous player, guard Stephen Curry, Westbrook was able to make a big statement.
Curry came into the game averaging 26 points a game, scoring 24 points against North Carolina and 34 in his last game against Charlotte. Westbrook held him to 15 points and a notable 6-19 from the floor.
“I was just focusing on trying to keep him from scoring,” Westbrook said. “He got some shots up but I was just trying to make his shots as tough as possible.”
The Bruins’ defense as a whole was not only tough Saturday, but smart as well. While they totaled 10 fouls on the day, only two of them were shooting fouls. The results could be seen on the scoreboard. While UCLA went 21-30 from the line, Davidson had few opportunities to convert free throws. The Wildcats only attempted four foul shots, and made just one.
With guards Darren Collison and Michael Roll missing time in the early going of the season, Westbrook has seen increased minutes and added responsibilities. He’s hardly intimidated by the task, and has delivered impressive performances thus far.
“Westbrook did a terrific job on Steph (Curry),” Davidson coach Bob McKillop said. “They alternated several guys on him, but they were superb. … Steph Curry went through the new experience of having an incredible difficulty getting himself open.”
The Bruin sophomore has stepped up in a major way, taking on the role as the main defensive stopper on the perimeter. Westbrook has stepped into a role most recently held by a former Bruin now in the NBA.
“Russell has really taken on the role that Arron Afflalo had for us last three years, which is guarding the other team’s best perimeter player,” Howland said. “And that speaks to his intensity, to his athletic ability. To his quickness. I’m really proud of Russell, the way he’s improved.”