UCLA’s strategy was simple in the first half Thursday against Oregon State.
Find Josh Shipp.
The senior forward scored 17 straight points for the Bruins as they blistered Oregon State and built a huge first-half lead. UCLA won easily, 79-54, and Shipp finished with a career-high 27 points.
“When a guy is going like that you have to give him the ball,” senior guard Darren Collison said.
Shipp’s streak was the driving force of a 30-8 UCLA run late in the first half. Both teams had started slowly, and after nine minutes the score was tied at 11. Shipp nailed four 3-pointers in the next eight minutes, and UCLA (23-7, 12-5 Pac-10) cruised past Oregon State (13-15, 7-10) from there.
Shipp has scored 63 points in the Bruins’ last three games and made about 60 percent of his 3-point attempts.
“It’s been there all year,” he said. “It’s not like I just got hot this last four games. I’m being aggressive and shooting the ball a lot more.”
Shipp, Collison and starting senior forward Alfred Aboya will play their final games at Pauley Pavilion Saturday against Oregon at 12:30 p.m.
UCLA will hold its senior day celebration at 12:15 p.m.
It will be an emotional day for all the Bruins.
“I just love those three seniors,” coach Ben Howland said.
Howland was pleased with his team’s efficiency Thursday against the Beavers. UCLA assisted on 14 of its 18 made baskets in the first half ““ an indication that the offense ran smoothly and players were trying to share the ball.
“It’s really fun to watch a team play like that,” Howland said.
Howland also commended first-year Oregon State coach Craig Robinson, who has rebuilt the Beavers back after a disastrous 2007-2008 season.
Sophomore guard Lathen Wallace, who did not start the game, led Oregon State with 15 points. Junior guard Seth Tarver added 13.
But overall, the Bruins were able to contain Oregon State’s offense. The Beavers shot a measly 26.9 percent in the first half, and their top scorer, sophomore guard Calvin Haynes, scored only two points in the game.
Collison said the win shows that the Bruins are ready for the postseason.
“We’re really gelling,” he said. “We know what’s at stake.”
Collison passed up a few open shots because he wanted to distribute. He finished with six points, eight assists and 11 rebounds, which Howland said was the “stat that excited him the most.”
This win also keeps UCLA’s hopes for a Pac-10 title alive.
First-place Washington (23-7, 13-4) must beat Washington State (16-13, 8-9) Saturday to clinch the championship.
But if the Huskies lose, the Bruins could capture a share of the title with a win over Oregon.
Either way, players said they are very confident after Thursday’s performance and two solid wins last weekend at Stanford and Cal.
The Bruins are now the top-ranked shooting team in the country, and Howland said their defense was also good Thursday.
“Our team is the best team out there if we execute,” Aboya said.
Aboya’s parents traveled from Yaounde, Cameroon, to watch him play on Thursday. They will also attend Saturday’s game against Oregon.
The Bruins plan to honor Aboya, Shipp and Collison before tip-off. In their careers, the three have won three Pac-10 regular season titles and reached three Final Fours.
“I know it’s going to be an unforgettable moment,” Aboya said.