For a bit greater than a half Monday evening, UCLA was pressured to ponder the unimaginable.
Dealing with West Georgia, a group that was in its second season in Division I and had been given a 1% probability to win by the metrics of basketball analyst Ken Pomeroy, the listless Bruins led by solely 5 factors early within the second half at Pauley Pavilion.
Even with out star level guard Donovan Dent, who was being held out for precautionary causes due to a muscle pressure, this was uncomfortably tight. West Georgia’s bombs-away method stored the rating aggressive, the Wolves taking — and making — one three-pointer after one other.
However the No. 15 Bruins lastly asserted themselves with an enormous run sparked by some spectacular offense of their very own, pulling away for an 83-62 victory to keep away from embarrassment on their dwelling court docket.
Level guard Trent Perry, beginning rather than Dent, ignited his group’s 10-0 push with an help and a layup in transition. Ultimately the Bruins (3-0) discovered themselves forward by 20 factors, leaving West Georgia (1-2) with no strategy to catch them even on an evening when the Wolves made 13 of 25 three-pointers (52%).
UCLA persevered thanks largely to ahead Tyler Bilodeau’s 21 factors on seven-for-12 taking pictures and a well-rounded effort from Perry, who logged profession highs with 17 factors and 9 assists to go along with solely two turnovers. Ahead Eric Dailey Jr. added 14 factors.
UCLA ahead Tyler Bilodeau, left, tries to drive previous West Georgia ahead Kenneth Chime throughout the first half Monday.
(Ethan Swope / Related Press)
The Bruins had been much more environment friendly on offense within the second half, making 14 of 25 pictures (56%) to complete the sport taking pictures 49.1%.
However the final result wasn’t a foregone conclusion till about halfway by the second half because of West Georgia’s success from past the arc.
The Bruins had been forward solely 37-32 at halftime after West Georgia made 9 of 13 three-pointers. Shelton Williams-Dryden made three of 4 three-pointers and scored 16 factors to steer the Wolves, who play within the Atlantic Solar Convention.
Issues get a lot more durable for the Bruins in a rush. They may play No. 5 Arizona on Friday on the Intuit Dome.
UCLA will needn’t simply Dent again but additionally the protection that has made coach Mick Cronin’s groups much more formidable than they regarded for a lot of Monday evening.
