Balanced UCLA pulls away in second half to defeat Oregon State 69-62 in Pac-12 opener
UCLA forward Adem Bona (3) looks to shoot over Oregon State center KC Ibekwe (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Credit: AP/Mark Ylen
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Dylan Andrews scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, Adem Bona also had 13 points and UCLA took control after halftime for a 69-62 win over Oregon State in the Pac-12 Conference opener for both teams on Thursday night.
The Bruins (6-6), who ended a four-game losing streak, made 6 of 10 3-pointers and shot 53% (16 of 30) in the second half, outscoring the Beavers 45-34.
Brandon Williams had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, seven points coming in the first half when he made all 3 of his shots but UCLA shot just 31%. Lazar Stefanovic and Will McClendon both had 10 points. Bona had eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
Dexter Akanno had 22 points for the Beavers (8-3), who had their five-game winning streak snapped with their first home loss. Jordan Pope added 13 points and Tyler Bilodeau had 10 with 14 rebounds.
UCLA improved to 81-5 under coach Mick Cronin when holding teams to 65 or fewer points and the Beavers were 7-1 when scoring 70.
McClendon hit a jumper to put UCLA on top 37-35 five minutes into the second half, the Bruins' first lead since 3-2. Akanno answered with a 3-pointer for the Beavers but then UCLA scored five.
OSU scored but then the Bruins reeled off 12 straight. After a 3-pointer by Andrews to make it 50-40, Stefanovic made two free throws after OSU coach Wayne Tinkle received a technical. On the ensuing possessions, McClendon's layup made it 54-40 with nine minutes to go.
UCLA forward Adem Bona (3) shoots around Oregon State forward Michael Rataj (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Credit: AP/Mark Ylen
Michael Rataj ended the drought with a 3-pointer at 8:34. On Oregon State's next possession, Akanno attempted, and made, the Beavers' first free throws to make it 54-45 at the 7:50 mark. Pope followed with a basket, but Oregon State could get no closer than seven the rest of the way.
The teams, which entered the game among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country at about 29% were both over 42% with a combined 18 of 40.
UCLA went 9 of 19 behind the arc (47%) and 17 of 43 (39%) inside the line.
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UCLA guard Ilane Fibleuil (8) defends against Oregon State guard Dexter Akanno (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Credit: AP/Mark Ylen
The Bruins go to Oregon on Saturday while USC visits Oregon State.
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