When you’re coming off your worst loss in seven years, a win is a win is a win. When your only major post threat is sitting courtside in a suitjacket, a win is a win is a win.
So, when the UCLA men’s basketball team (13-14, 8-7 Pac-10) had all that weighing down upon them but still managed a 65-56 advantage over visiting Oregon State (12-15, 6-9) by the end of Thursday night’s game, you know the Bruins will take it.
“I’m really pleased to get this win under our belts,” coach Ben Howland said.
Freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt was the clear star of the show, tallying another one of the all-around performances that have become his trademark. He scored a game-high 18 points, in addition to 10 rebounds, five blocks, four assists, and three steals.
The team’s second-leading rebounder, freshman forward Reeves Nelson was ruled out of commission for UCLA’s weekend series against the Oregon schools after undergoing laser retinal surgery this week. Nelson’s absence only adds to the Bruins’ dearth in the frontcourt caused by injuries to freshman forward Brendan Lane and senior forward James Keefe.
Senior forward Nikola Dragovic made a rare start at the center position, also giving way to some minutes for sophomore center J’Mison Morgan. That scarcity of experienced size underneath the basket helped the Beavers gain a massive 40-24 rebounding advantage, but the Bruins’ cooler heads prevailed. In his postgame press conference, Howland attributed that to one player in particular.
“(Senior guard) Mike (Roll) did such a good job handling the pressure out there,” Howland said. “Mike is so important to our team. He’s our most consistent player.”
Despite a rare off-shooting night, Roll was the game’s assist leader with seven. Thursday night he captained the offensive attack, breaking through OSU’s 1-3-1 half-court trap to find his open teammates.
“Today I was just more of a facilitator,” Roll said. “I didn’t shoot it well, but they were … trying to bring the zone to me so other guys were open.”
The Beavers were led by 14 points from junior guard Calvin Haynes, but they were doomed by an atrocious shooting night, including just three makes beyond the arc on 20 attempts.
“I’d love to take credit for it, but they missed some wide open shots that went our way,” Howland said.
Saturday’s game against Oregon will be the last in Pauley Pavilion for the Bruins’ seniors. Also, UCLA will honor the 40th anniversary of its 1970 NCAA Championship team with a special ceremony.