UCLA Cuts CSUN in Half

The second installment of four in the momentum-building segment of UCLA’s schedule went precisely as planned.

For a half, anyway.

The Bruins defeated Cal State Northridge, 114-97, before a Saturday night crowd of 8,584 at Pauley Pavilion, a game UCLA dominated until the action deteriorated into something resembling a run-and-gun summer workout.

UCLA Coach Steve Lavin hoped that Northridge (6-4), which recently won five games in a row and a tournament in Hawaii, would provide a semblance of a test, something similar to the way Nevada Las Vegas pushed the Bruins a week ago.

At least the Runnin’ Rebels put up a fight after falling behind early, storming to a 59-46 lead and forcing the Bruins to use a strong defensive effort to win.

Northridge played with the nervousness of third-graders stepping onto the court with sixth-graders at recess.

UCLA rattled off a 20-0 run that helped turn a 25-24 deficit into a 57-33 halftime lead. It wasn’t until the final few minutes that the Matadors loosened up, scoring 15 of the last 17 points to make the score respectable.

In fact, the second half got so sloppy and baskets came so easily, Northridge finished with 21 more points than any UCLA opponent this season.

“They are from the L.A. area, so we didn’t want to tattoo them too badly,” Lavin said in jest.

Less forgiving was Bruin guard Baron Davis, who had nine assists and four points in 22 minutes.

“We can’t have a big letdown at the end of the game,” he said. “We can’t have any lapses like that and be a great team.”

Keeping their attention for a full 40 minutes might again be a challenge for the No. 12 Bruins (6-2): Their two opponents before opening conference play against Arizona on Jan. 2 are American University and Loyola Marymount, teams below Northridge in the Division I pecking order.

“When 13 guys get playing time, it’s important that everyone shows they can sustain confidence and intensity,” Lavin said.

The Matadors kept up for nearly 10 minutes before handing the game over by committing 20 turnovers in the first half and 23 in the game.

UCLA took advantage, scoring 23 points off of turnovers and making 20 of 31 shots in the half to seize control of its fourth consecutive victory.

“All of a sudden, we just lost it,” Northridge forward Jeff Parris said.

Six Bruins scored during the 20-0 run, with a three-point basket by JaRon Rush, layups by Ryan Bailey and Matt Barnes and a steal and layup by Rush accounting for nine during a furious span of 1:10.

Travis Reed scored a career-high points 21 for UCLA and was one of seven Bruins to score in double figures. Earl Watson scored 15, including 11 in the first half.

The Bruins’ point total was a season high, eclipsing the 109 scored in a 42-point victory over Delaware State on Dec. 2, and they made 43 of 66 shots for a blistering season-high 65.2%.

Northridge might have been more competitive had Rico Harris played. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound junior transfer from L.A. City College has intrigued NBA scouts, but he missed his fourth game in a row because of a hip pointer.

Guard Greg Minor, who made seven of 11 three-point shots, and guard Derrick Higgins each scored 25 for Northridge.

“This was a very, very poor showing for our program,” Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell said. “We had a chance to at least make this thing competitive and we didn’t.”

Lavin preferred to focus on the short time Northridge pushed his young Bruins.

“That stretch in the first half was the best flow we’ve had this season,” Lavin said. “That’s why these games before we start conference are so important.”