UCLA Still Misses Point

A determined UCLA squad heroically overcame the loss of its vaunted point guard to post a hard-fought, come-from-behind victory over ...

UC Riverside?

A winless team playing its first Division I season?

Oh, how the mighty have tumbled. UCLA inched above .500 by frantically pulling away in the second half, 65-50, at Pauley Pavilion in front of 6,704 who appeared more bemused than angry at the incompetent spectacle before them.

No. 20 UCLA (3-2) was favored by 29 points. Riverside (0-5) is No. 280 in RPI rankings among 324 Division I teams. By rights, the Bruins should have left the Highlanders to RIP 10 minutes into the game.

Instead, Riverside led, 16-12. UCLA went nearly the first five minutes without a field goal, looking lost with star forward Jason Kapono making do at point guard. The first half ended in a 28-28 tie and UCLA did not lead comfortably until a 16-0 run midway through the second half.

Kapono had trouble distributing the ball and his teammates couldn’t get him open looks for three-point shots--the bread and butter of the Bruin attack.

Soon freshmen Dijon Thompson and Ryan Walcott tried their hand at the point. Still, the offense had no direction.

About the only area UCLA excelled was understatement.

“We did come out a little flat,” guard Billy Knight said.

A little.

“We have a long way to go,” Coach Steve Lavin said.

A long way.

It appears Cedric Bozeman, the freshman point guard who had knee surgery Monday and is sidelined at least a month, will be missed more than anticipated even though he struggled along with everyone else in losses to Ball State and Pepperdine.

“We don’t want to lose Jason’s effectiveness as a three-point shooter,” Lavin said. “We are trying to get Ryan Walcott up to speed. Obviously until Cedric comes back we have to hold the fort down and not make excuses.”

Defense was the primary problem in the Bruins’ 2-2 start. But those woes were eclipsed by an offense as out of sync as it was inept. UCLA shot 36.2%, had 18 turnovers and only seven assists.

“We didn’t move the ball well tonight,” Lavin said. “It wasn’t a pretty effort in any aspect.”

Even when the Bruins seized command, they looked bad doing it. The most embarrassing moment came when center Dan Gadzuric clanked a dunk attempt off the front of the rim with 8:43 to play. He took the rebound, was fouled and missed two free throws while the missed dunk was re-played on the video screen above the court.

But Gadzuric wasn’t alone. T.J. Cummings, the other Bruin center who towered over the Highlanders, missed a dunk in the first half.

About the only player whose production did not dip was Rico Hines, who made his first start. He still hasn’t scored, missing five shots in 24 minutes. The fifth-year senior is scoreless in 84 minutes this season, missing 12 shots.

“Rico gave us a big lift by diving for balls six or seven times,” Lavin said. “We haven’t had that all year. He gives us a spark, leadership and passion on the floor.”

Kapono scored 18 but had only one assist. Gadzuric, despite the awkward moments, had a season-high 11 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes.

Enough about UCLA. How ‘bout those Highlanders?

Actually, they didn’t play very well, either, throwing one pass over the backboard, shooting 34.7% and enduring seven-minute scoreless stretches in each half.

The second drought hurt the worst. UCLA extended a 38-37 lead to 54-37 behind a three-point play by Matt Barnes and a three-point shot by Kapono.

Riverside shot only two free throws in the second half.

“We just had a mental breakdown on defense,” center Vili Morton said. “We knew we could stay with them. We saw the film.”