No. 9 UCLA opened Wednesday’s home game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a 13-0 run, setting the tone for a 106-37 rout.
The Bruins (3-0) held the Lions (0-3) without a point for the game’s first 5:28, and did not allow a made field goal until 6:31 into the contest.
UCLA was not done with its early onslaught, however. The Bruins followed with a 20-0 spurt spanning nearly eight minutes.
The Bruins limited the Lions to nine first-half points, delivering its best defensive half since at least the 1975-76 season. The 37 points allowed marked a program low in the modern era.
UCLA held UAPB to 14-of-51 shooting (27.5%) from the floor, including just 2-of-20 from 3-point range.
The Bruins forced 30 turnovers that they converted into 45 points.
Eric Dailey Jr.’s four steals and three each from Joe Philon III, Jaylen Petty and Azavi Robinson fueled UCLA’s defensive pressure.”
While the defense delivered a record-setting performance, UCLA’s offense thrived with a balanced attack. Nikola Kusturica continued his strong start to his career, as the freshman scored 17 points to pace six Bruins in double figures.
Petty added 16 points and Robinson scored 15 off the bench. Each knocked down three 3-pointers, leading UCLA to a 13-of-28 performance from behind the arc.
Dailey, Trent Perry and Philon rounded out UCLA’s double-figure scoring with 13, 11 and 10 points, respectively. Perry recorded a double-double with 11 assists, as 29 of the Bruins’ 40 made field goals came off assists.
Macaleab Rich was the lone UAPB player in double figures, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting. The Lions are playing the first of three consecutive games in Southern California.
UAPB does not play at home until mid-December.