Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Reeves Nelson tied a career high with 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as his UCLA Bruins cruised to a 57-44 triumph over the Pacific Tigers in the NIT Season Tip-Off. Tyler Honeycutt pitched in 15 points and 15 boards for UCLA (3-0).
Sam Willard was impressive in defeat, as he tallied 18 points and 14 rebounds for Pacific (2-1). UCLA went on an early 13-2 run and held a commanding 40-24 lead at intermission. Nelson scored 17 points in the opening stanza. The Tigers cut their deficit to nine points with just over five minutes remaining in the game, but the Bruins quickly regained a double-digit advantage and cruised to victory.
UCLA won despite just four points from the foul line and two offensive rebounds. With the win, the Bruins advanced to the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals, to be played next week in New York at Madison Square Garden.
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