UCLA notches first win over D-I opponent

When you’ve got as long a list of issues as the UCLA men’s basketball team had through five games, sometimes you’ve got to start by addressing the small things.

Like communicating on defense, hustling to capitalize on loose balls and fighting tooth and nail on both sides of the ball — even when a stray elbow takes out two of your pearly whites.

UCLA soundly defeated Pepperdine, 62-39, Monday night at the Sports Arena.

Halftime: Bruins 28, Waves 11

It hasn’t been spectacular for the UCLA men’s basketball team in the first half against Pepperdine, but it’s a start.

The Bruins, vying for their first win over a Division I opponent, are up 28-11 at halftime against the Waves.

UCLA has been quicker than Pepperdine to most of the loose balls in lieu of a shaky 11-of-25 shooting half.

Redshirt sophomore forwards David and Travis Wear, holing true to their identical form, have each scored six points.