Kapono Is Climbing on Career Scoring List

In an odd juxtaposition, Jason Kapono climbs as his team plummets.

The senior forward moved into fourth place on UCLA career scoring chart with a 23-point performance against California on Saturday. He has scored 1,861 points, passing Toby Bailey (1,846) and trailing only Reggie Miller (2,095), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- then known as Lew Alcindor -- (2,325) and Don MacLean (2,608).

“It’s an honor and a privilege to see those names and be in such great company,” he said. “Obviously it would be a better feeling if we were 13-2 and going for the Pac-10 title.”

If he continues to score at his current pace, he will exceed 2,000 points and challenge Miller.

Kapono’s numbers have been remarkably consistent in his four years at UCLA. He is averaging 16.9 points this season and 16.6 in his career.

However, his three-point accuracy has taken a nosedive. Kapono has made 39.3% (35 of 89) this season, well below the 46.1% of his first three years. He never shot less than 45% until this season.

He has had only two outstanding games from long range. He made nine of 10 three-point shots in his career-high 44-point performance against Washington State on Jan. 4 and was made five of seven against Cal.

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TONIGHT

vs. No. 22 Oregon

7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Pauley Pavilion.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- UCLA 4-11 overall, 2-5 in Pacific 10; Oregon 14-4, 4-3.

Update -- The undersized Ducks have been whittled down even more because 6-foot-7 forward Luke Jackson (16.4 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game) is doubtful because of a cut finger. His replacement, Andre Joseph, is 6-3. Although point guard Luke Ridnour (19.4 points, 6.5 assists) is the key to the uptempo Oregon attack, the Ducks are 14-0 when their post players combine for at least 22 points. Last season, Oregon won at Pauley Pavilion, 65-62, for the first time since 1984. The Bruins have lost six games in a row.