UCLA needs 3 overtimes to win
Bruins pick up first win with barrage of three- pointers in longest game since ’ 85.
Men’s basketball team picks up season’s f irst victory, leaning on slew of three- pointers versus Pepperdine.
SAN DIEGO — Tyger Campbell hunched over near midcourt in the f inal seconds, tugging on his shorts in a rare moment of rest. Jaime Jaquez Jr. walked over and slapped his teammate on the shoulder before they embraced in a weary hug.
After 55 minutes of game action, a slew of missed opportunities and several near- misses, they could f inally exhale Friday afternoon at Viejas Arena.
UCLA had prevailed in its longest game in 35 years, the No. 22 Bruins holding off Pepperdine for a 107- 98 victory in triple overtime that served as a strong rebuttal to their season- opening dud two days earlier.
Jaquez played all 55 minutes and Campbell wasn’t far behind, logging nearly 52 minutes, as the absence of forward Jalen Hill because of injury and the spotty availability of forward Cody Riley because of foul trouble forced UCLA to rely heavily on a f ive- guard lineup. Bruins guard Chris Smith also played 50 minutes as part of a seven- man rotation that coach Mick Cronin rode to his team’s f irst triumph of the season.
“I think Chris and Tyger are headed for the cold tub,” Cronin said after UCLA ( 1- 1) completed its longest game since a four- overtime loss to USC in February 1985. “I’m going to join them and put my head in after dealing with that.”
The small lineup eventually worked to the Bruins’ advantage as they made a barrage of three- pointers in the third overtime. Campbell and Jules Bernard each made one before Smith added an old- fashioned threepoint play after getting fouled on a putback and making the free throw to give the Bruins a 98- 93 lead, providing the cushion they needed after having previously failed to put away the Waves ( 1- 1).
UCLA’s defense faltered late in regulation, giving up a six- point lead in the f inal three minutes, as part of a comedy of errors in which Jaquez airballed a potential go- ahead jumper and Smith heaved a full- court pass out of bounds from along the baseline, giving the ball to Pepperdine underneath its own basket.
Jaquez’s struggles at the free- throw line in the f irst and second overtimes also extended the game. Jaquez made one of two attempts with 25 seconds left in the f irst overtime and UCLA ahead by a point, allowing Pepperdine’s Colbey Ross ( 33 points) to tie the score on a f loater with six seconds left. Jaquez then made only one of four free throws in the f inal eight seconds of the second overtime but partially absolved himself by f ighting for the rebound on his second miss. He was fouled going up for a putback and made one of two free throws to tie the score and force a third overtime.
UCLA made f ive of eight three- pointers in the overtimes after having made only f ive of 26 in regulation. Cronin said most of those late attempts from long range were wide open as a result of identifying strategic mismatches that allowed his team to play inside- out.
The Bruins also mostly f ixed their defense after allowing Pepperdine to score with ease in the f irst half in what amounted to a repeat of UCLA’s beatdown by San Diego State on Wednesday. All of the Bruins’ f ive steals and three blocks against the Waves came after halftime.
It helped that Smith made what felt like his season debut after going scoreless in the second half against San Diego State. Against Pepperdine, Smith scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime and he f inished with a game- high 12 rebounds.
“I just knew I had to be more assertive,” Smith said. “The stats that stick out to me tonight were my 12 rebounds because I had zero the other night.”
The Bruins played a second consecutive game without Hill ( right knee tendinitis) and sophomore guard Johnny Juzang ( stress reaction in his right foot). Cronin said Hill was probable to play against Long Beach State on Monday and there was “a chance” that Juzang could play after shedding his protective walking boot.
It felt like UCLA played most of the game without Riley given that he fouled out after collecting 13 points and three rebounds in 28 minutes, easily the fewest among UCLA’s starters.
The Bruins headed home tired but somewhat satisfied given the unusual circumstances. Cronin had scheduled these games because he wanted UCLA to be challenged early, to face two good local teams away from Pauley Pavilion in hopes of showing the ways it needed to improve.
The Bruins learned they have a long way to go but are willing to go a long way to get there.
“A lot of guys happy in the locker room,” Cronin said. “They fought out a win against a good team.”