It took five games, but the UCLA Bruins finally picked up a win over a Division I opponent Monday night, defeating the Pepperdine Waves 62-39 before a sparse crowd at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. UCLA (2-4) snapped a two-game losing streak with the win.
Lazeric Jones led the Bruins with 14 points, four assists, and six steals in the win. UCLA held Pepperdine to 31.3% shooting on the night (15 for 48), and forced 15 turnovers. The Waves led 7-6 with 11:29 remaining in the first half but surrendered a 20-2 run by UCLA, who took the lead for good.
Travis Wear and David Wear helped control the middle for the Bruins, combining for 18 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocked shots. Travis Wear also took an inadvertent elbow to the mouth with 12:02 remaining in the game. He went to the locker room for treatment, but later came back into the game.
Taylor Darby scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Waves. Both Joshua Lowery and Corbin Moore led Pepperdine with nine points each.
The Bruins next host the Texas Longhorns on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena. The Waves also play next on Saturday, hosting the Hawaii Warriors at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.
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