Coach Mick Cronin said he had concerns about a confidence problem in his team after his team’s recent loss to Maryland.  The coach added that because it lacked a “go-to guy,” UCLA had dug itself into a four-game losing streak.  But in the Bruins’ first Pac-12 game of the season, sophomore forward/center Adem Bona – who contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks while staying out of foul trouble – sought to become that guy.  Snapping a four-game losing streak, UCLA men’s basketball (6-6, 1-0 Pac-12) defeated Oregon State (8-4, 0-1 Pac-12) on Thursday 69-62 in Corvallis in its first Pac-12 game of the season. Read more...

Photo: UCLA men’s basketball sophomore forward/center Adem Bona rises for a layup over Cal State Northridge center Dearon Tucker. In Thursday’s game against Oregon State, Bona scored 13 points while adding three blocks. (Brandon Morquecho/Assistant Photo editor)

The Bruins are heading into conference play with a losing record for the first time in the coach Mick Cronin era. In fact, this is the first time the squad has entered Pac-12 play under .500 in 14 years. Read more...

Photo: UCLA men’s basketball sophomore forward/center Adem Bona guards an Oregon player during last season’s contest between the two teams. The Bruins will face the Ducks in their second game of Pac-12 play on Saturday after opening the conference slate against Oregon State on Thursday. (Jeremy Chen/Daily Bruin senior staff)