The Bruins kicked off the season Friday with a school-record 18 3s.
Boy, was that short-lived.
No. 16 UCLA (1-0) started Sunday night’s game against Cal State Northridge (1-0) slow and sloppy, shooting 39 percent from the field and failing to hit a shot from outside until sophomore guard Aaron Holiday’s 3 with 9:34 left in the first half. The Bruins finished the half with just two 3s made on 10 attempts.
UCLA put up 63 points by halftime against the Pacific Friday night, but barely managed 40 Sunday night as the Bruins made their way to the locker room trailing the Matadors 42-40. The 11 turnovers didn’t help, as CSUN raced out to 13 points off UCLA giveaways.
After electrifying the crowd in his college debut, freshman guard Lonzo Ball finished the half with a quiet four points and a team-leading four turnovers.
Senior guard Isaac Hamilton led the way with 10 points and junior center Thomas Welsh put in eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Foul trouble also plagued the Bruins, as five players picked up two or three fouls in the first 20 minutes of play.