GAME REPORT: UCLA 109, Charleston Southern 75

FIRST HALF IN REVIEW

UCLA outran, outshot, outhustled, and basically outplayed Charleston Southern, making the first half of the Buccaneers’ first trip to the NCAA tournament probably something they won’t tell their grandchildren about. The Bruins blitzed the Buccaneers with an 11-0 run to start the game led by a couple of baskets each from Toby Bailey and Jelani McCoy. The Buccaneers finally broke through for their first basket, but not before nearly 4 1/2 minutes had elapsed. And even though the Buccaneer shakes stopped for a few minutes and they closed to within 14-7 and then 19-14, they never got closer. Charles O’Bannon (13 points) and McCoy took over the rest of the way and the Bruins used their speed and size to build a 53-38 halftime lead. Simply outclassed.

* UCLA’S LEADING SCORERS: Charles O’Bannon 13, Jelani McCoy 12.

* UCLA’S LEADING REBOUNDERS: J.R. Henderson 7, Charles O’Bannon 6.

* OTHER STUFF: UCLA shot a blistering 62.9% from the floor, led by McCoy, who didn’t miss (six for six). O’Bannon was six for eight. In fact, none of UCLA’s six players who scored in the half shot below 50%. The Bruin barometer, J.R. Henderson, had seven points and a team-leading seven rebounds. UCLA outrebound Charleston Southern, 26-18, including a decisive 18-8 on the defensive boards.

* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN LEADING SCORERS: Brett Larrick 15, Rolando Hourruitiner 9.

* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN LEADING REBOUNDERS: Mark Roper 5.

* OTHER STUFF: The Peter Principle was definitely at work for the Buccaneers. Brett Larrick, who was the team’s season-leader in points at 19.6 per game, led the team again in the first half with 15, but was only five for 15 from the floor. The rest of the team didn’t fare much better, shooting 33% (14 for 42) and 28% from the three-point line. On the bright side, if you can call it that, the Buccaneers did not miss a free throw in the first half (six for six).

SECOND HALF IN REVIEW

So much for halftime pep talks. What started bad for Charleston Southern, got even worse in the second half. UCLA poured it on with 56 more points. The Bruins’ total of 109 was the most points they’ve scored this season and their 34-point winning margin was also their largest. J.R. Henderson and Jelani McCoy had 14 and nine points respectively to both finish with 21 and lead five players in double figures. The battle on the boards was also no match, as UCLA outrebound its smaller opponents 32-12 in the second half and 58-30 for the game. The Bruins won their 22nd game of the season, and 10th straight.

* UCLA’S LEADING SCORERS: J.R. Henderson 14, Jelani McCoy 9.

* UCLA’S LEADING REBOUNDERS: Jelani McCoy 4, Toby Bailey 4.

* OTHER STUFF: The Bruins cooled off a little in the half, but still shot 48% from the floor and 55% for the game. While others may have had bigger numbers, Bailey had a great all-around game with 14 points, nine rebounds (tied for team high) and led the team with eight assists. Cameron Dollar finished with four steals. UCLA hasn’t a lost a game since naming Steve Lavin its permanent head coach on February 11.

* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN LEADING SCORERS: Brett Larrick 17

* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN LEADING REBOUNDERS: Andres Amaya 2.

* OTHER STUFF: Let’s look for the good. Bret Larrick finished with 32 points. The Buccaneers improved their shooting from the floor in the half to 43% (compared to 33% in first). That’s all folks.