UCLA defeats Arizona St 90-77
UCLA Cruises Past Arizona State in Home Opener
A 13-Point Win that Showcases Bruins' Depth
In front of a raucous crowd at Pauley Pavilion, the UCLA Bruins welcomed their new and old fans alike to witness an impressive 90-77 victory over visiting Arizona State. The win marked the beginning of the non-conference season for both teams, showcasing the depth and resilience of the Bruins.
At halftime, UCLA led by a margin of 12 points (45-33), but it was clear that the home team had something special brewing. As the second half got underway, ASU slowly chipped away at the deficit, but ultimately couldn't keep pace with the well-oiled machine that is UCLA.
For the Bruins, the win marked a strong statement in their new era, as they showcased their ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. The team's balanced attack was on full display, with 29 field goals from 62 attempts (47% eFG%) and a free throw rate of 82%. The defense also played its part, holding ASU to just 43.3% eFG%.
The Bruins' offense was fueled by sharp three-point shooting (54.0% 3PT FG), with 14 successful attempts from beyond the arc. However, it's worth noting that UCLA's fast break points were their most significant advantage, accounting for 18 of their total points.
Arizona State, on the other hand, struggled to find its footing against a well-coordinated defense. The Sun Devils' shooting percentages were nowhere near as sharp (40% FG), and they couldn't overcome their struggles from beyond the arc (15% 3PT FG). Despite efforts from 20 field goals, ASU found itself outgunned in the paint (36-26) and on fast breaks (18-8).
The final margin of 13 points was a testament to UCLA's depth and ability to adjust its strategy mid-game. The win marked an exciting start to the Bruins' non-conference schedule, as they look to build momentum for their upcoming conference matchups.
Box Score Breakdown:
UCLA
• Field Goals: 29/62 (47.0%)
• 3-Point FG: 14/26 (54.0%)
• Free Throws: 18/22 (82.0%)
Arizona State
• Field Goals: 24/60 (40.0%)
• 2-Point FG: 20/34 (58.8%)
• 3-Point FG: 4/26 (15.0%)
The UCLA Bruins' dominant performance against Arizona State in their home opener sets the stage for an exciting non-conference season ahead.