Davis Bails Out Bruins

UCLA freshman Baron Davis, who picked up two fast fouls for the second consecutive exhibition, saved the day with a layup and free throw with 25 seconds left, lifting the Bruins to a 76-74 victory over NBC-Thunder before 6,294 at Pauley Pavilion.

With J.R. Henderson sitting because of back troubles, Kris Johnson practicing but not yet reinstated for games, and center Jelani McCoy suspended indefinitely, UCLA started five guards against NBC-Thunder, which had won five in a row against college competition.

Toby Bailey led UCLA with 22 points and 10 rebounds and at 6-foot-5 was the Bruins’ tallest starter.

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Compton Dominguez 6-foot-9 forward Tayshaun Prince threw a wrench in UCLA’s dream recruiting plans by committing to Kentucky as the early-signing period came to a close.

Last week, the Bruins landed guard Ray Young from Alameda St. Joseph’s-Notre Dame and forward Matt Barnes from Del Campo Fair Oaks, and had hoped that Prince would make their early-period collection one of the best in the nation.