UCLA
20-4,11-2Pac-12
Oregon State
9-16,3-11Pac-12
Bailey, Defense Shine in 62-47 Win at Oregon State
February 09, 2023 | Men's Basketball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Freshman guard Amari Bailey totaled a career-high 24 points and the UCLA defense allowed a season-low point total in a 62-47 win over Oregon State on Thursday night at Gill Coliseum.
The Bruins (20-4, 11-2 Pac-12) limited their opponent under 50 points for the third time this season, eclipsing the previous season-low of 49 points, accomplished in wins against Washington (Jan. 1) and Utah (Jan. 12).
"We've got to get to a point where we can win games when Tyger [Campbell] and Jaime [Jaquez Jr.] don't score a lot," said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach. "And it's a long road for us because back when we scrimmaged San Diego State, I think they had 58 between them. We needed to get to this point where our two leading scorers are Amari and Jaylen, or whoever else, but tonight it was Amari and Jaylen. It can't just be Tyger and Jaime and pray for rain on the offensive end. That was my biggest positive for sure tonight."
Bailey's 24 points were the most in one game by a UCLA freshman since the 2016-17 season, as TJ Leaf accomplished the feat on both Feb. 1, 2017 at Washington State (32 points) and Feb. 23, 2017 at Arizona State (25 points). Lonzo Ball also had a season-high 24 points against Arizona (Jan. 21, 2017).
Junior guard Jaylen Clark also had a strong night for UCLA, recording 16 points on seven-for-11 shooting. He also registered three steals. Senior guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. had a game-high 12 rebounds, including three offensive boards.
The Bruins looked like they were on their way to one of their most decisive victories of the season on Thursday, but the Beavers (9-16, 3-11) closed the game on a 17-5 run to bridge the gap.
Clark led UCLA in the first half, making his first three attempts from the field and ultimately finishing with a team-high 10 points. He had several notable moments in the first half, including a 3-pointer from the left side that gave UCLA its first lead of the game at the 13:21 mark, and a nice running jumper that banked off the backboard and in to make it 14-10 in the Bruins' favor with 11:37 left in the first half.
The Bruins created all the separation they would need in the final five minutes of the opening half, pulling away with a 12-2 run that turned a three-point advantage into a 31-18 halftime lead. Bailey scored six points during that spree to set the table for his second-half explosion, and Jaquez Jr. capped the run – and the half – with a 3-pointer from the left corner.
The second stanza was the Bailey show, as the Chicago native dropped 18 points – just one off his previous career-high – in the final 20 minutes alone. At one point in the stretch run, Bailey scored four consecutive baskets to give UCLA its largest lead of the game at 57-30 with 4:41 remaining. Bailey got it done on both ends during that stretch, setting up the middle two baskets of that run with a steal in the defensive half and a rebound, respectively.
Oregon State was led by guard Jordan Pope, who had a team-high 17 points. The hosts shot just 35.6% from the field for the game.
UCLA returns to action on Saturday night, facing Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena starting at 7:00 p.m. (PT) on ESPN. The Bruins' game on Saturday can be heard on the radio on AM 570 in the Los Angeles region.
