No. 19-ranked UCLA improved to 4–1 on the season, bouncing back from a tough loss to No. 5-ranked Arizona on Friday with a commanding 79–48 win over Sacramento State at home. The Bruins delivered a defensive masterclass, holding the Hornets to the lowest point total by any UCLA opponent this season.
Head coach Mick Cronin made a bold statement by benching four regular starters after what he called in the post-game press conference a “poor Monday practice.” Only Eric Dailey Jr. remained in the opening lineup, joined by Trent Perry, Jamar Brown, Brandon Williams and Steven Jamerson II. This group immediately set the tone, opening the match with a 13–0 run. The Hornets began 0-for-9 from the field and committed four turnovers. Perry capped the surge with an and-one three pointer, while UCLA’s defense continued to deflect passes and contest shots. Sacramento State finally got on the board in the seventh minute, but UCLA had already seized complete control. The Bruins entered halftime up 42–17, fueled by 33 deflections and holding the Hornets to zero fast-break points.
The second half unfolded similarly, with UCLA maintaining its defensive intensity and stretching the lead to 33. The Bruins forced 41 total misses, holding the Hornets to 24% (13-54) from the field for the night. Dailey Jr. had a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Reserve forward Xavier Booker added 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and eight rebounds despite foul trouble, emphasizing afterward that “defending, staying in front, and rebounding” were the night’s priorities. Perry added 11 points, while Brown rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points and six boards.
Sacramento State guard Mikey Williams, once the nation’s top youth prospect in 2019, struggled through boos from the home crowd, finishing with nine points on 2-for-14 shooting. Shaquir O’Neal, son of legendary NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, recorded only two rebounds in 23 minutes.
In the post-game press conference, Cronin closed with his signature ethos: “If we’re gonna die, we’re gonna die my way.” UCLA returns to Pauley Pavilion on Friday to face Presbyterian at 7 p.m.
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Featured Image via BruinLife Archives
