Bruins earn first Big Ten win over Washington

The UCLA Bruins (7-1) took care of business as they defeated the Washington Huskies (6-2) at home 69-58, with sensational performance from the entire squad. The Bruins had three different scorers in double figures, with junior forward Tyler Bilodeau and sophomore guard Sebastian Mack scoring a team-high 16 points each.

The Bruins remain undefeated at Pauley Pavilion this season and have posted a 1-0 record in Big Ten play while riding a six-game winning streak. The Bruins are doing well and their strength and experience are starting to shine through.

It was a clear win for the Bruins as they took an early lead and BIlodeau scored the team’s first seven points. They took a 29-24 lead at halftime and extended it in the final 10 minutes of the game by playing their best basketball of the game.

Bilodeau finished the game with nine rebounds to go along with his 16 points, nearly giving him his second double-double of the year. The Oregon State transfer scored in double figures for the sixth time in his first eight games with the Bruins.

UCLA forced turnovers, took offense, found the open shot and knocked it down. All the things coach Mick Cronin likes to see from his group and textbook supplemental basketball. The final 10 minutes were crucial as Mack scored a dagger three-pointer with four minutes left.

Mack reached the line 12 times and hit seven of those free throws. He was 4 of 12 from the field and his ability to get past defenders and get fouled at the rim allowed him to pick up a few easy points at the charity stripe. This was Mack’s fifth game in which he scored in double figures, and he has emerged as a rising star.

The Bruins were exceptional with the basketball as they only turned it over eight times, which is well below their average. Defensively, they forced 12 turnovers, which led to 19 points from those giveaways. This team is getting better and better and it showed against a conference team.

Junior guard Dylan Andrews contributed 12 points on 5 of 12 shooting from the field and 2 of 4 from 3-point range. Andrews has continued to receive an increase in minutes as one of the team’s veteran leaders.

The Bruins performed well in almost every way, but allowed ten offensive rebounds, which led to nine second-chance points. The Huskies pulled to within three points late in the first half and the Bruins were only a handful ahead at halftime. They would make the necessary changes.

The tougher games are yet to come for the Bruins as they will play on the road for the first time since their loss to New Mexico on a neutral site in Henderson, Nevada. 12 Oregon Ducks (8-0) this Sunday afternoon.

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