UCLA Sends Pleasing Message

UCLA assistant Donny Daniels held up oversized flash cards from the bench Saturday night, giving the players instructions they could read rather than trying to shout over the noisy crowd.

The commands, ranging from “Power” to “Opposite” to “Regular Special” were decipherable only to the team. But after UCLA beat Washington, 86-84, in overtime, Daniels might well draw up a card the entire Pacific 10 Conference can understand:

UCLA Means Business.

The Bruins improved to 4-0 in conference play, having tamed the Pacific Northwest with home victories over the Oregon schools and road victories at the Washington schools in nine days.

Their overall mark of 8-3 is modest by traditional UCLA standards, but they are only two victories from last season’s total and -- dare it be said -- nearly halfway to the number probably necessary to earn an NCAA tournament bid.

“We couldn’t feel happier and I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” Coach Ben Howland said. “You knew they’d mount a charge, but we withstood it,”

Not that the Bruins played with the polish of a tournament team while blowing a double-digit lead in the last 2:10 of regulation in front of 7,638 at Bank of America Arena.

UCLA point guard Cedric Bozeman fouled out with six minutes left in regulation and Washington’s pressure gave reserve Ryan Walcott fits. But two free throws by Dijon Thompson with 10.5 seconds left in overtime provided the margin of victory, and big plays by T.J. Cummings, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Trevor Ariza, who had 21 points and eight rebounds, were pivotal.

After Thompson’s free throws, Washington guard Will Conroy, who scored 29 points, drove the lane and lost the ball, which Cummings smothered for a jump ball with 0.2 seconds left by diving to the floor. A tipin try at the buzzer on the inbounds play missed, and Washington fell to 5-7, 0-4 in the Pac 10.

“I feel for them because I really respect Lorenzo,” Howland said, referring to Washington Coach Lorenzo Romar, a former UCLA assistant.

Washington was 10-17 last season, Romar’s first, and he already is getting heat from the local media. The athletic director who hired him, Barbara Hedges, resigned under pressure Friday.

Romar and point guard Curtis Allen -- the only Husky senior -- have butted heads.

The lack of on-court leadership shows. The Huskies pushed the ball in transition but often went one on one and forced shots. They had 17 turnovers two days after having 29 turnovers in a loss to USC.

Meanwhile, UCLA is getting inspired leadership from its only senior in the playing rotation. Cummings made eight of 12 shots and provided a steady hand down the stretch.

Two nights after scoring 48 points against Washington State -- the fewest in a UCLA victory in 22 years -- the pace quickened.

Ariza, Thompson and Cummings each played at least 38 minutes. The load won’t diminish this week because guard Brian Morrison, out since Dec. 20 because of a pulled hamstring, reinjured himself during practice Friday and is not expected to play against Arizona State and Arizona.

“We are taking two days off,” Howland said. “I’m telling these guys to just stay home and rest.”

Cummings was hot from the perimeter from the outset, making four of his first six shots including two three-point baskets for 12 points, keying UCLA’s 38-27 halftime lead.

Michael Fey, playing in front of a vocal contingent of friends and relatives who drove up from his hometown of Olympia, made all four of his shots in the half and UCLA made 17 of 30.

“People say we are a young team, but we are learning, and at the same time showing maturity and coming out with Ws,” Cummings said. “We are really happy.”