UCLA defeats UC Riverside 97-65

UCLA Dominates UC Riverside in Statement Win

In a convincing display of dominance, the UCLA Bruins (Home) cruised past the visiting UC Riverside Highlanders 97-65 at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday night. The blowout victory marked a statement win for the Bruins, showcasing their depth and talent.

At halftime, the Bruins led by a 11-point margin, 45-34, but the second half saw UCLA expand its lead to as many as 32 points, with the final margin remaining at 32. The largest leads of the game were held by UCLA, which outscored UC Riverside by 32, while the Highlanders never managed to bridge the gap.

Tyler Bilodeau led all scorers for UCLA with 34 points on 4-7 three-point shooting and a blistering 63.2% field goal percentage. Eric Dailey Jr. chipped in with nine rebounds, 13 points, and two steals, while Trent Perry dished out seven assists and added 14 points.

For UC Riverside, Osiris Grady paced the team with 20 points, hitting at a 66.7% clip from the field but struggling to find his mark beyond the arc (0-1). Jailen Daniel-Dalton contributed seven rebounds for the Highlanders.

UCLA's performance was characterized by strong overall shooting, with the Bruins connecting on 50% of their field goals and outrebounding UC Riverside 37-33. The Bruins also excelled in free throw shooting, going 22-for-26 from the line (85.0%). The team's fast break scoring and points off turnovers were also notable aspects of their success.

In contrast, UC Riverside struggled to find its rhythm, hitting at just 43% from the field and committing 22 turnovers in the second half. Despite a strong effort by Grady, the Highlanders were unable to overcome UCLA's depth and talent.

This non-conference matchup served as a test for both teams, with UCLA emerging victorious in convincing fashion. The Bruins' performance marked a statement win, demonstrating their readiness for conference play and beyond.