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Bruins Edge Highlanders in a Close Contest at Pauley Pavilion

The University of California, Los Angeles Bruins narrowly defeated the UC Riverside Highlanders with a final score of 66-65. The Bruins now hold an unblemished record, while the Highlanders' record stands at 0-1.


Dec 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Sebastian Mack (12) shoots the ball against the Cal State Northridge Matadors in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. CSUN defeated UCLA 76-72. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In a game that saw eight ties and sixteen lead changes, the UCLA Bruins managed to secure a one-point victory over the UC Riverside Highlanders at Pauley Pavilion. The home crowd of 6,609 witnessed a nail-biting encounter where both teams fought valiantly until the last second.


The Bruins showcased their resilience on their home court. Despite shooting just 40 percent from the field and 41 percent from two-point range, they capitalized on their free throw opportunities by converting an impressive 81 percent of their attempts. This proficiency from the line proved crucial in such a tightly contested matchup.


UCLA's balanced offensive effort was evident as they matched UC Riverside with fifteen assists each. However, it was UCLA's superior points off turnovers that made a significant difference; they scored seventeen points off eleven Highlander turnovers compared to ten points scored by UC Riverside off UCLA's eleven turnovers.


On defense, both teams managed to grab two steals apiece and were nearly even in blocks with UCLA edging out one block against none for UC Riverside. Rebounding was another area where UCLA showed slight dominance with thirty-one total rebounds over UC Riverside's twenty-nine.


From beyond the arc, both teams displayed remarkable accuracy; however, it was UC Riverside who shone brighter in this aspect by sinking fourteen three-point shots at an impressive rate of approximately 44 percent compared to seven made by UCLA at approximately 39 percent.


Despite these challenges posed by their opponents, it was ultimately UCLA's ability to maintain composure and execute under pressure that led them to victory. Their slightly better assist-to-turnover ratio (1.36) against UC Riverside’s (1.07) also highlighted their efficient ball handling during critical moments of play.


Looking ahead after this hard-fought win, fans can anticipate another exciting game as the University of California Los Angeles Bruins will face off against Villanova Wildcats at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on December 9th at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. This upcoming contest promises to be another test for the team as they continue their season journey away from home soil. Fans can catch all live action broadcasted nationally on FOX TV network.

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