UCLA Basketball: Bruins blow out South Carolina State with second half effort

The UCLA basketball team had some more issues with their defense, but offense took over in the second half to get the big win over South Carolina State.

Early in this game against South Carolina State (0-4), it seemed as though the UCLA (3-0) basketball team would have another long game, and in turn, another long season on their hands. The Bruins struggled to beat their first two opponents of the 2017-18 season and it seemed as though recent history was repeating itself against the Bulldogs.

UCLA 96 – South Carolina State 68

The Bruins were not able to get on the same page in the first few minutes, but eventually meshed and pulled out to a 17-point lead. But as the script goes, the Bruins’ defense once again eased up on their opposition and allowed South Carolina State to get back within six by the break. At halftime, the Bruins were only up 41-35.

More from Go Joe Bruin

• UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
• UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
• UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
• UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
• UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show

Part of the problem is that UCLA has not figured out their issues on defense. In the first half, the Bulldogs exploited UCLA’s defense that allowed plenty of space to shoot. By halftime, SC State had made 5 of 10 three pointers, most of them uncontested.

The second half started with more of the same. Soft defense, but the offense was starting to come together. In the first half, UCLA shot 16/37 (43.2%). In the second half, the Bruins went 21/30 (70.0%).

Thomas Welsh got his second double-double of the season as he put up 13 points and 15 rebounds. Add to that 2 blocks and 2 assists.

The freshmen continued to produce for the Bruins with Jaylen Hands leading the team in points with 22 and Kris Wilkes scoring in double-digits for the third time in three games with 14.

UCLA got a surprise from another freshman, Chris Smith, who was electric off the bench with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Next: Three Bruins suspended indefinitely

The Bruins return to the court on Monday, November 20 when they take on Creighton in the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, MO.