At halftime of the biggest UCLA men’s basketball game of the last two years and the last in Pauley Pavilion before its year-long restoration, this much was clear: the Bruins came to play.
UCLA led Arizona 40-30 after the first half of play in a game that has great implications for this season’s Pac-10 title. The Bruins (20-8, 11-4 Pac-10) are just one game behind the Wildcats (23-5, 12-3) in the conference standings.
Despite not a single made basket from outside the key, UCLA found a variety of ways to score inside it.
Sophomore forward Reeves Nelson was the biggest culprit, leading his team with 16 points and 10 rebounds. His classmate, forward Tyler Honeycutt contributed eight points, while freshman center Joshua Smith had nine points on four-for-four shooting.
Arizona’s own star sophomore forward Derrick Williams showed why he is considered a near-lock for Pac-10 Player of the Year honors with 13 points including a 3-pointer with time running out on the shot clock.
The Wildcats defeated the Bruins in Tucson, Ariz., 85-74 earlier this season.
UCLA’s 1971 men’s basketball NCAA championship team was honored in a halftime ceremony that included leading scorer Sidney Wicks, assistant coach Gary Cunningham, and members of late legendary coach John Wooden’s family.
The 45-year old arena in Westwood will be closed for construction next season as the school updates the facilities.