Feeding off the momentum of a second-half surge, senior guard Skyy Clark sized up his defender, stepped back and drained his sixth three pointer of the night, dropping a season-high 30 points and capping off UCLA’s highest scoring game of the season.
UCLA men’s basketball (9-3, 2-0 Big Ten) defeated Cal Poly (5-8, 1-1 Big West) by a score of 108-87 at Pauley Pavilion on Friday night courtesy of a second half where the Bruins scored 65 points, their most in a half since 2000. The Mustangs, who held a two-point lead at half time following a three-point barrage, just couldn’t stay hot for the full 40 minutes.
In addition to Clark’s big night, senior forward Tyler Bilodeau contributed an efficient 24 points on 7-9 shooting, and senior guard Donovan Dent added a double-double of 16 points and 11 assists. Six Bruins scored in double-figures to secure the Bruins’ 9th win of the year.
It was clear early on that the Mustangs were going to play fast with a green light from beyond the arc. Both teams leaned on the long ball early, as the Bruins didn’t even attempt a two-point field goal for over four minutes, until Clark sunk a mid-range jumper for an early eight points. A tight first half saw Cal Poly make nine threes at an absurd 56% clip.
In spite of a sloppy first half, where both teams combined for 20 turnovers, the Mustangs held a 45-43 cushion at half time. The Bruins certainly held their own by shooting 52% from the field, and benefited from an early bonus courtesy of 11 fouls by Cal Poly.
The Bruins came out blazing in the second half, blowing the game open with a 15-0 run highlighted by a hustle steal from Clark into a transition dunk for junior forward Eric Dailey Jr. The Mustangs cooled off from deep and continued to struggle with fouls, committing 15 more in the second half and granting early free throws for the Bruins.
Despite a technical foul for head coach Mick Cronin amidst a brief Mustang surge, the Bruins put together an offensive masterpiece, shooting a ridiculous 61% from the field in the second half. Dent’s 11 assists were a season high, and his playmaking was complemented by his knack for attacking downhill and finishing at the rim. Bilodeau provided balanced scoring and a perfect night from the free throw line, and fifth-year guard Jamar Brown chipped in his own season high of 14 points.
Up next for the Bruins is a matchup on Tuesday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion against UC Riverside.
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Featured Image via UCLA Athletics
