BRUINS LOSE SMITH, THEN WIN

UCLA took a huge loss before its game against Colorado began. The Bruins found out second-leading scorer and rebounder Chris Smith has a torn ACL and his career in Westwood is likely over.

Still, they came together and rallied for a 65-62 victory over the Buffaloes on Saturday, extending their home winning streak to 13 games.

“We were all heartbroken,” said Jaime Jaquez Jr., who scored a game-high 14 points.

“It's his senior year and we're expecting great things. We're going to try to play this season for him.”

Smith fed his teammates passes during pre-game warmups and was on his feet cheering from the bench during the physical and closely fought game.

“I'm probably more upset about it than him,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said. “He had to put his arm around me. It's tough for me to coach today.”

The Bruins' (7-2, 3-0 Pac-12) streak includes six wins this season, and they've also won 10 straight league games at home.

The Bruins never led by more than seven in the second half. Mckinley Wright IV'S 3-point play tied the game for the last time at 54all.

“We knew it was going to be a physical game down low and it came down to who could play the toughest,” Cody Riley said.

Riley muscled inside for consecutive baskets, got fouled on the second one and made the free throw, putting UCLA back in front 58-54. All of the Bruins' crucial baskets over the final 10 minutes were scored in the paint, where they owned a 38-28 edge.

“We would not have won if Cody and Jalen (Hill) hadn't gotten some tough physical points around the basket for us,” Cronin said.

Wright and Maddox Daniels scored 12 points each, and Jeriah Horne and Eli Parquet added 10 points each for the Buffaloes (7-3, 1-2).

No. 21 Oregon 73, Stanford 56: The Ducks (8-1, 3-0) trailed at halftime but blew out the Cardinal (5-3, 1-1) in the second half for an easy win at home. Chris Duarte had 23 points for Oregon.

USC 64, Utah 46: Tahj Eaddy scored 18 points and the host Trojans (6-2, 1-1) pulled away in the second half to beat the Utes (4-3, 1-2).

Oregon State 73, California 64: Ethan Thompson had 16 points, Maurice Calloo scored all his 14 points in the second half, and the host Beavers (5-3, 1-1) rallied for a win over the Golden Bears (5-6, 0-4).

WCC

No. 1 Gonzaga 85, San Francisco 62: Corey Kispert scored 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting as Gonzaga (10-0, 1-0) opened its West Coast Conference schedule by beating visiting San Francisco (7-5, 1-1).

Mountain West

Boise State 87, San Jose State 86: At Phoenix, Derrick Alston Jr. scored 20 points with 10 rebounds, Abu Kigab scored the winning putback with 14 seconds left and the Broncos (8-1, 4-0) stretched its win streak to eight games, edging past the Spartans (1-6, 0-4). San Jose State relocated to Phoenix after COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County prohibited contact sports.

Utah State 72, Air Force 53: Center Neemias Queta tallied 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Aggies to a win over host Air Force (3-5, 1-3).

Wyoming 78, Fresno State 74: Hunter Thompson made seven 3-pointers and finished with 22 points as the visiting Cowboys (7-1, 1-0) narrowly beat Fresno State (2-3, 0-3).

Nevada 84, New Mexico 74: Sophomore guard Grant Sherfield had 28 points and eight assists as the Wolf Pack (8-3, 3-1) beat the Lobos (3-4, 0-4) at Lubbock, Texas.