Trent Perry helps UCLA avoid disaster in win over West Georgia
For a little more than a half-hour Monday night, UCLA was forced to contemplate the unimaginable.
Facing West Georgia, a team in its second Division I season that had a 1 percent chance of winning according to basketball analyst Ken Pomeroy’s measurements, the listless Bruins led by just five points early in the second half at Pauley Pavilion.
Even without star point guard Donovan Dent, who was held out as a precaution due to a muscle strain, the game was uncomfortably close. West Georgia’s bomb approach helped keep the scoring competitive, with the Wolves taking — and scoring — one three-pointer after another.
But the No. 15 Bruins finally asserted themselves with a big run sparked by some impressive offense on their part, pulling away for an 83-62 victory to avoid embarrassment on their home court.
Point guard Trent Perry, starting in place of Dent, sparked his team’s 10-0 surge with an assist and a layup in transition. Ultimately, the Bruins (3-0) found themselves ahead by 20 points, leaving West Georgia (1-2) with no way to catch them, even on a night when the Wolves made 13 of 25 three-pointers (52%).
UCLA persevered thanks in large part to 21 points from forward Tyler Bilodeau on seven-of-12 shooting and a complete effort from Perry, who recorded career highs with 17 points and nine assists with just two turnovers. Forward Eric Dailey Jr. added 14 points.
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau, left, attempts to pass West Georgia forward Kenneth Chime during the first half Monday.
(Ethan Swope/Associated Press)
The Bruins were much more efficient offensively in the second half, making 14 of 25 shots (56%) to finish the game with a 49.1% shooting rate.
But the result wasn’t a foregone conclusion until midway through the second half, thanks to West Georgia’s success from beyond the arc.
The Bruins led just 37-32 at halftime after West Georgia made nine of 13 three-pointers. Shelton Williams-Dryden made three of four three-pointers and scored 16 points to lead the Wolves, who play in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Things get a lot tougher for the rushing Bruins. They will face No. 5 Arizona on Friday at the Intuit Dome.
UCLA will need not only Dent back, but also the defense that made coach Mick Cronin’s teams far more formidable than they hoped for much of Monday night.
