Game Recap: UCLA Men's Basketball |
No. 16 UCLA Takes Down CSUN, 102-87
LOS ANGELES – Seven Bruins scored in double figures as No. 16 UCLA outlasted CSUN, 102-87, in both teams' second game of the regular season on Sunday night in Pauley Pavilion.
Isaac Hamilton scored a game-high 22 points for the Bruins (2-0), connecting on 9 of 14 shots from the field. György "G.G." Goloman registered career-highs with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Bryce Alford finished 20 points, going 8 for 8 from the free throw line.
Lonzo Ball had another strong effort with 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals.
Thomas Welsh netted his 11th career double-double, totaling 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Aaron Holiday had 13 points and TJ Leaf finished with 12.
In a back-and-forth contest, particularly during the first half, the Bruins never claimed the lead for good until midway through the second half. Sunday night's game featured 14 lead changes and was tied 11 times.
"Hats off to CSUN," UCLA head coach Steve Alford said after the game. "I thought they came in, had a good gameplan and played very, very hard. It's the first time we've had to play against intense pressure, and I didn't think we handled it well, for the most part – 20 turnovers, that's way too high for us. Our assist total got cranked up again in the second half, and we started making shots."
CSUN (1-1) entered the locker room at halftime with a 42-40 cushion, but UCLA opened the second half using a 7-0 scoring run. Ball nailed a 3-pointer just 11 seconds into the second half to give the Bruins a 43-42 lead, and he followed with a dunk 40 seconds later.
The Matadors responded, tying the game at 51-51 with 16:33 to play and again at 55-55 with 14:38 left in regulation. Goloman converted an old-fashioned 3-point play with 14:21 remaining before UCLA pushed its cushion to five points – 60-55 – after a pair of free throws from Alford.
After CSUN cut UCLA's lead to 60-57, the Bruins answered with a 7-0 scoring run before staking a 17-point lead – 84-67 – at the 7:52 mark after Hamilton nailed a 3-pointer.
From that point, UCLA never saw its cushion fall to fewer than 13 points.
Sunday's game marked Goloman's most effective performance of his career. The 6-foot-11 forward from Körmend, Hungary, made 5 of 7 shots from the field and recorded three blocks and one steal in 15 minutes off the bench.
"I think as I'm getting more comfortable, I'm getting better," Goloman said. "I do think that I'm getting more comfortable, and it's great."
The Bruins finished the game having shot 49 percent from the field and out-rebounded the visiting Matadors, 44-31. Three UCLA players had at least two blocks – Welsh with four, Goloman with three and Leaf with two.
UCLA returns to action against San Diego in Pauley Pavilion on Thursday, Nov. 17. Game time is 8 p.m. (PT). The Bruins' game will be televised by Pac-12 Network.
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