Cal State Fullerton had all the makings of a formidable
opponent. The Titans (5-2) came into Tuesday’s game averaging
nearly 90 points per game and featuring a possible NBA prospect in
point guard Bobby Brown. They were supposed to bring the Bruins out
of the doldrums that the No. 1 UCLA basketball team has experienced
through its stretch of three straight games against Big West teams.
Instead, the Bruins’ 78-54 victory on Tuesday featured many
of the same characteristics as the previous two uninspiring
victories. “This was not a 24-point game,” UCLA coach
Ben Howland said. “We were fortunate it ended up that score,
but it sure didn’t feel like it. Fullerton is a very talented
team.” The Bruins (7-0) committed 21 turnovers in the game,
as Fullerton’s fast pace caught them off guard in the first
half. Point guard Darren Collison committed five turnovers and the
Bruins looked lackadaisical as the Titans built a 14-4 lead to
start the game. “We knew they were going to come out hard
against us, especially being a local team,” Collison said.
“We just had to take a step back and regroup.”
Following the sloppy first five minutes, the Bruins settled down
and relied on the players who have been carrying them all season
““ Arron Afflalo and Josh Shipp. Afflalo led the Bruins in
scoring with 20 points, while Shipp contributed 16 on 3-of-5
shooting from beyond the arc. The two players’ exceptional
outside shooting kept the Bruins afloat while their defense kept
the Titans in check. “Our team is very mentally tough,”
Afflalo said. “I think that is what separates us from most
teams. When we get down, we don’t panic, because we keep up
the intensity throughout.” On Tuesday, Afflalo’s
intensity was felt on the defensive as well as the offensive end.
Afflalo was assigned to guard Brown midway through the first half,
successfully limiting his outside shooting after Brown got off to a
quick start in the first half. Brown, who came in as the
Titans’ leading scorer, finished with 18 points on 6-for-11
shooting, but also had seven turnovers. “It was a mixture of
me and Darren,” Afflalo said of the successful defense on
Brown. “We’re a pretty good defensive backcourt as a
whole. Whenever we throw both of us on a guard, it’s going to
be a long night for them.” Overall, the Bruins caused a
season-high 28 turnovers for the Titans, and Collison was able to
garner a team-high six steals. The Bruins also outrebounded the
Titans, and junior forward Lorenzo Mata finished with a career-high
16 rebounds. The Bruins will need a similar type of performance
this Saturday against No. 6 Texas A&M in the John Wooden
Classic. “We have to come out with our game every
time,” Collison said. “If we don’t play our best,
any team can beat us.” The Bruins almost learned that lesson
the hard way against the Titans on Tuesday.
WEAR TWINS: Sophomore recruits David and Travis
Wear, forwards at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, were in
attendance for Tuesday’s game. The Bruin Den chanted the
twins’ names at one point during the game and gave them a
standing ovation. The brothers figure to be two of the top recruits
for the Class of 2009.
DRIBBLERS: Tuesday’s attendance of 7,945
was the lowest of the season for the Bruins, with the top of the
student section mostly empty. … Bruin alumnus and current Lakers
point guard Jordan Farmar was in attendance at the game. …
Fullerton brought its dance team to the game, and the dancers were
heavily booed by the UCLA student section.