Davis Creates Quite a Stir in First Game

Baron Davis’ first, foul-prone game in a UCLA Bruin uniform was brief, but electric.

The UCLA freshman point guard played only 18 minutes, but was the dominant, dazzling, tomahawk-dunking, behind-the-back-passing, pressure-defending figure on the floor between fouls, leading the Bruins to a 92-80 victory over Silute-Lithuania on Thursday night before 5,991 at Pauley Pavilion.

“I had a lot of fun,” said Davis, who had 12 points, six assists and five steals. “It was my first collegiate game, so I was kind of nervous.”

Davis’ across-the-board effort led a strong performance by UCLA’s class of six freshmen, which included 17 points from Billy Knight (five of eight on three-point shots) and seven points and five assists by Rico Hines.

“All of the freshmen played well,” said senior guard Toby Bailey, who had 19 points and played a few minutes at center. “It shows we’re definitely not a one- or two-dimensional team.”

Senior forward J.R. Henderson led the Bruins with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Bruin Notes

As expected, 6-foot-4 guard Ray Young from Alameda St. Joseph Notre Dame and 6-7 forward Matt Barnes of Fair Oaks Del Campo signed letters of intent with UCLA on Thursday, the second day of the early signing period. Young was also pursued by Arizona, California and Stanford.