UCLA is flexing its muscles against a weak Utah team here at the Sports Arena and goes into the halftime locker room leading 36-21.
Playing in their first game at the Sports Arena since Dec. 23 , the Bruins return to downtown has been a triumphant one marked by solid defensive play. The team lacked defensive cohesion when it lost back to back games to Oregon State and Oregon last weekend.
But UCLA fans should be cautiously optimistic about this double-digit halftime lead. The Bruins took a 13-point halftime advantage to the locker room against Oregon on Saturday and allowed the Ducks to come back into the game via an 11-0 run to open the second half.
Sophomore center Joshua Smith bounced back from poor performances in Oregon and is leading UCLA in scoring with nine points and two rebounds. Redshirt sophomore forward David Wear has seven while senior Jerime Anderson and sophomore Tyler Lamb each have five.
Guard Chris Hines leads the Utes in scoring with eight.