UCLA defeats Maryland 67-55

UCLA Cruises Past Maryland Behind Strong Team Effort

The Bruins' home court proved to be the difference-maker on Sunday night, as UCLA (67) edged out visiting Maryland (55) in a conference matchup at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins came out strong, holding a 17-point lead after one half, and never looked back. While the Terrapins made some late-game runs, they were unable to overcome the deficit.

Trent Perry led UCLA's balanced attack with 16 points on 2-5 three-point shooting, while Eric Dailey Jr. chipped in with nine rebounds and 15 points. Donovan Dent added seven assists, eight points, and three rebounds to round out the Bruins' key contributors.

Maryland's Elijah Saunders led his team with 17 points, but struggled from beyond the arc, going just 3-8 on threes. Darius Adams provided some balance off the bench, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds.

The advanced statistics paint a clear picture of UCLA's dominance: they shot an efficient 48.0% from the field, while Maryland struggled at 34.8%. The Bruins also excelled in rebounding, grabbing 29 boards on the defensive end.

In context, this win was expected, given UCLA's strong home record and their position as one of the top teams in the conference. However, Maryland's resilience is a testament to their growth throughout the season.

The final margin of 12 points was a clear indication that the Bruins were the better team on the night. While the Terrapins made some late-game pushes, they ultimately came up short.

As the Bruins head into the next week, they'll look to build on this win and continue their push for conference supremacy. For Maryland, it's back to the drawing board, as they seek to bounce back from a tough road loss.