UCLA moves to 14-6 with win over Northwestern

UCLA moved to 14-6 on the season with a win against Northwestern on Saturday evening. A game in which they led by double digits for quite a bit. Before coasting into the finish line of a final of 71-64. It wasn’t a pretty victory, but it got the job done. The Bruins have to be better at closing out games and not letting teams hang around. As Northwestern was able to get within two buckets late. UCLA shot 49% on the night and held Northwestern to only 38% shooting and 7-23 from 3-point range.

The Bruins were able to follow up a good defensive effort against Purdue. With another good defensive effort tonight. They are playing much better on that end right now. As the whole team is buying into defensive intensity and the rotations have been great. Showing the team has started to come together chemistry wise. They’re down to allowing 69.3 points per game which is now good for 73rd in the nation. Seeming to keep climbing as each game goes by.

UCLA continues to get really good play from their starters. But the question remains, is what can they get from their bench as the season continues to go on? They received six points on the night from non-starters all coming from Jamar Brown. Skyy Clark should return soon helping that cause, as Trent Perry is most likely to go back to the bench. Perry has been playing really good basketball with Clark sidelined. The Bruins won the points in the paint and rebounds battle which are two crucial areas they have looked to shore up.

Tyler Bilodeau continued to lead the team in scoring as he had 18 points on the night. Donovan Dent also had a second straight effective game with 13 points and 5 assists. Which the team is hoping he can keep up his energized play as of the last two games. Perry mentioned earlier also had 18 points and is averaging 16 points per game since Clark has been out. UCLA will now head to Oregon for a matchup on Wednesday with the Ducks looking to improve their winning streak to three games.