UCLA Runs Norwegian Team Ragged, 111-79

It didn’t count in the standings, but UCLA played an exhibition game Friday night at Pauley against the Norwegian National team.

Maybe the Bruins can save for the regular season some of the points they scored in a 111-79 victory before 4,630 fans.

The way the Bruins, especially Pooh Richardson, ran the fast break, the issue was not in doubt very long.

There was no way Norway had a chance.

Richardson led an all-out speed game and did not stop until he had 11 assists.

The Bruins had five players score in double figures, led by Reggie Miller’s 22 points in only 23 minutes as Coach Walt Hazzard played everyone wearing a uniform against the weary Norwegians.

Only a night before, Norway had lost to UC Irvine, and they looked tired. The Bruins certainly made them appear that way.

Even though Miller wasn’t particularly sharp and 6-10 freshman Kevin Walker struggled somewhat, the Bruins easily dominated the game, and a game is all that Hazzard wanted anyway.

“We just needed to see somebody else’s faces,” Hazzard said. “We just needed to play a game against somebody. I’m sure we’ll be playing against more polished players and more skilled players later on out there.

“We needed to see if we could play at all, and believe me, these guys can play,” he said.