Mata-Real’s return dispels health doubts

CORVALLIS, Ore. “”mdash; With 12:05 to go in the first half, UCLA center Lorenzo Mata-Real checked into the Bruins’ game against Oregon State.

Mata-Real had been out since the USC game on Jan. 19 with a concussion, and although he was projected as doubtful for the entire road trip, he managed to suit up and contribute five points and five rebounds.

He also threw down a couple of dunks that helped to contribute to the eerie silence of the Oregon State crowd.

“It felt really good to play,” Mata-Real said. “I worked on (those dunks) a little in warm-ups.”

With Mata-Real healthy, forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (out with a concussion) improving enough to participate in pregame warm-ups before Saturday’s game, and guard Mike Roll expected to be out just another two weeks, the Bruins could finally be approaching full health again.

SLOW START: After the emotional victory over Oregon on Thursday, which Ben Howland termed the best win of his 27-year coaching career, the little letdown against Oregon State in the first half was not out of place.

The Bruins went into halftime up just 43-39, with Oregon State actually having held the lead with a few minutes to go in the half.

Howland elected to give the credit entirely to the Beavers and not to his players’ lack of focus.

“We knew they’d come out and play really inspired,” Howland said. “They were really really good in the first half. They were only down one on the boards with us. They were really making some shots; they made some tough 3s.”

The Bruins seemed a little cavalier in their approach in the warm-ups prior to Saturday’s game.

With about an hour to go before game time, the Bruins engaged in an impromptu dunk contest, and when the interest in that waned, also tried to stuff as many balls into the hoop as possible. Only center Kevin Love and point guard Darren Collison appeared very focused on actual basketball skills.

The two also happened to combine for 49 points, with Love taking down 21 rebounds as well.

“I’m not going to say we overlooked this game,” Love said. “But it wasn’t the same intensity we had against Oregon.”

HOME OF THE HOWLANDS: Saturday’s game was also a homecoming of sorts for Howland.

Howland was born in Lebanon, Ore., which is located about 15 miles from Corvallis, and he said that that has given him a special affinity for Oregon State.

“I root for Oregon State except twice a year,” Howland said.

LOVE-LY HOMECOMING: Love, who is from Lake Oswego, Ore., had an explosive weekend, combining for 42 points and 39 rebounds in the two games against the Oregon schools.

Although Oregon State’s crowd was nowhere near as hostile as the Oregon crowd that Howland termed “vile” because of its vulgar and abusive cheers, Howland was still impressed with his freshman center’s poise on the road.

“He had an unbelievable weekend,” Howland said. “To come home and do what he did on the road this weekend was just unbelievable.”

CRYING FOUL: Oregon State coach Kevin Mouton was assessed a technical foul with 14:30 to go in the second half, after complaining vehemently about the foul disparity between UCLA and Oregon State.

In the first half, the Beavers shot just four free throws to UCLA’s 24.

Collison alone took ““ and made ““ 13 free throws in the game.

NOTES: The Oregon State band was dressed in prom attire. … With a minute or so to go in the game, Howland took out all five of his players on the court and substituted them with those at the end of the bench. The Oregon State announcer said simply, “They’re out. They’re in.” … The 33 points were a career high for Collison. … His 21 rebounds were a career high for Love and also a record for a UCLA freshman.

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