Bruins Get Off Deck in a Hurry

UCLA shrugged off a humiliating defeat a day earlier to cruise past Alaska Anchorage, 92-68, Friday in the Great Alaska Shootout’s second round.

The No. 7 Bruins did to the Seawolves as was done to them by No. 4 North Carolina. Coach Steve Lavin relied on his bench for much of the contest, but UCLA still moved the ball freely against the Division II Seawolves, controlling every aspect of the game.

Lavin called the game a good learning experience for his freshmen. It’s an investment he’s hoping pays dividends later in the season.

And after the 109-68 thrashing the Tar Heels handed out Thursday, Lavin was pleased with the way his young squad bounced back.

“There are definitely some positive things we can build on after last night’s horrific experience,” he said. “Our guys were able to come back with great spirit and great intensity,” he said.

J.R. Henderson led UCLA (1-1) with 21 points, most of them with overpowering work underneath. Baron Davis added 20 and Toby Bailey had 15.

Clay Anderson paced Anchorage with 14. Chris Hamey and John Webber each scored 11.

The Bruins led by as many as 39 points midway through the third quarter.

The Seawolves (4-2) took Seton Hall to overtime Thursday night by relying on a barrage of three-point baskets, but against the stronger Bruins tried to play a more conventional game. It didn’t work.

The Seawolves were outrebounded, 41-30, outshot in the field, 53% to 43%, and gave up 24 turnovers to UCLA’s 15.

Anchorage Coach Charlie Bruns said he suspected the Bruins’ confidence might have suffered after Thursday’s defeat.

“They’re a lot better athletes than I thought they were coming into the game,” Bruns said. “With this crop of freshmen I think they’re going to be very good in a couple of years.”

UCLA came out quickly, running up a 15-4 lead in the first five minutes, with Bailey contributing 11 points. Davis took over when Bailey sat down, putting up 16 points for the half.

Lavin used five freshmen for most of the second quarter, taking advantage of a weaker Seawolves’ squad to give his young team playing time.

The Bruins will face Alabama Birmingham today for fourth place in the tournament.