Monday, February 8, 1999
Bruins score sweet revenge over Oregon State
M.HOOPS: Point guards shine as UCLA strikes back for loss
earlier in season in Corvallis
By AJ Cadman
Daily Bruin Staff
Home is where the heart is. And no one knows that better than
the UCLA men’s basketball team.
After a dramatic, last-second victory over the Oregon Ducks on
Thursday – due in large part to the heroics of sophomore Baron
Davis – the Bruin point guard gave an encore in a Sunday matinee.
Behind Davis’ 20 points, UCLA (17-5, 8-3 Pac-10) toppled the
Beavers of Oregon State 85-67 at Pauley Pavilion.
"Nobody wants to miss a game with Dick Vitale on the sidelines,"
said UCLA head coach Steve Lavin. "If he’s here, that means it’s a
big game."
The Bruins sought revenge in yesterday afternoon’s contest after
losing to the Beavers in Corvallis one month earlier 65-63. In that
game, the Bruins took 81 shots to Oregon State’s 40. UCLA finished
with a 28 percent shooting percentage.
"Our guys played with a lot of poise offensively," said Lavin.
"Overall, to be 17-5 at this point in the season has exceeded my
expectations."
The rematch on Sunday told a different story. The Bruins shot
under over 56 percent from the floor for game, including 7-19 (36.8
percent) from the three point arc. But what stood out most in the
box score is UCLA’s 40 minutes of consistent defense.
The Beavers committed 23 turnovers to the Bruins 11. UCLA’s 10
steals and 20 assists defined their ability to effectively utilize
the transition game. Sophomore guard Earl Watson and Davis
constantly pushed the ball up the floor in an effort to score easy
baskets.
Davis led UCLA in scoring on eight of 10 shooting, including two
of four from the three-point line. He added six assists in 32
minutes.
His three-point play at the 3:19 mark of the second half was an
indicator the type of afternoon Davis had. A hanging layup off the
glass from a pass by Matt Barnes and a free throw by Davis gave
UCLA a 72-55 lead late in the game.
"We really closed out the game," said Davis. "I didn’t want to
force anything. I was just being patient and it paid off."
Meanwhile, Watson finished with 17 points, seven assists and
four steals in 39 minutes for the Bruins. His penetration in the
key opened up shots for his teammates on the perimeter.
"Earl was doing a good job at the point, distributing the ball,"
said Davis on his backcourt teammate.
Lavin experimented with his 15th different starting lineup on
Sunday. Watson, Davis and senior Brandon Loyd started in the
backcourt, while sophomore Travis Reed and freshman Matt Barnes
started at forward.
"There will never be a country club starting lineup here. You’ve
got to bring the same intensity and energy to every game and every
practice," said Lavin.
UCLA got good performances from Barnes and freshman Ray Young
off the bench. Barnes finished with nine points and six rebounds.
Young scored 12 points on five of eight shooting in 27 minutes for
the Bruins.
Jason Heide led the Beavers with 21 points and 5 rebounds, while
Josh Steinthal added 19 points for Oregon State.
Lavin’s Sunday starting lineup was changed due to the absence of
freshman JaRon Rush for the entire game and Dan Gadzuric coming off
the bench.
"(Rush) did not practice. I was not happy with him in practice,"
said Lavin. "He didn’t practice to his potential. Gadzuric didn’t
start for the same reason."JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin Senior
Staff
UCLA’s Dan Gadzuric shows off with a slam dunk.
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