Aboya Is Latest Player to Suffer Injury

The scene has become as familiar at Pauley Pavilion as the appearance of the cheerleaders or the shot on the video board of John Wooden smiling from his seat.

See the UCLA player grimace in pain. See the game stop. See Coach Ben Howland hold his breath. See the player helped off the court. See trainer Tony Spino treat the player on the bench. See the player disappear in the direction of the trainer’s room.

Seen enough?

The injury-plagued Bruins had to watch it all again Saturday afternoon when freshman Alfred Aboya, who was filling in at center, limped off the court because of a sprained knee. An MRI exam was scheduled for Saturday night to determine the extent of the injury. Aboya had arthroscopic surgery on both knees before the season.

Freshman Ryan Wright started at center Saturday in place of sophomore Lorenzo Mata, who broke his right leg Thursday night against Washington State.

Senior center Ryan Hollins, who sat out six games because of a strained groin, returned Saturday, playing 17 minutes.

Even senior center Michael Fey played.

Howland had said Friday that Fey still had “significant swelling” in his sprained right ankle and the healing process was slower than anticipated.

But Fey was out there Saturday, even if it was only for one minute.

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Wednesday vs. USC, 7:30 p.m., Pauley Pavilion, FSNW2 -- UCLA welcomes a new face to this cross-town rivalry as Coach Tim Floyd leads the Trojans against the Bruins for the first time.