UCLA Takes Down Boston University, 71-40

Monday, November 11

Los Angeles, Calif.

7:00 PM (PT)

UCLA

2-1,0-0Big Ten

Boston University

0-3,0-0Patriot

Team	1	2	F
Boston U.	22	18	40
UCLA	39	32	71

Eric Dailey Jr.

Photo by: Scott Chandler

UCLA Takes Down Boston University, 71-40

November 11, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Quotes Video Highlights UCLA's Season Stats (PDF)

LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men's basketball team took down Boston University, 71-40, on Monday night inside Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom.

UCLA (2-1) was powered by its defense that forced 28 turnovers in the contest. This marked the first time since the 2008-09 season that the Bruins forced 20 or more turnovers in back-to-back games (having forced 24 last Friday night against New Mexico). UCLA had three consecutive games midway through the 2008-09 season where the Bruins had forced at least 20 turnovers by the opponent. UCLA accumulated 36 points off turnovers on Monday evening, accounting for over half its final tally.

The Bruins' strong defensive effort against Boston University (0-3) resulted in the fewest points UCLA has allowed in a game since its 50-40 home win over California on Jan. 19, 2020.

"I was most happy tonight with our attitude of humility and the fact that we dove more on the floor tonight than we have in every scrimmage game and every exhibition game combined," said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach. "In the first half, we surpassed our dives on the floor for the year."

In his first start of the season, Lazar Stefanovic made three shots from behind the 3-point arc to fuel his 13-point night, matching Eric Dailey Jr. for the team-high. Sebastian Mack also reached double figures, scoring 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting while making five of six free throw attempts.

Kobe Johnson led the defensive effort with a team-high four steals. The senior also made a well-rounded contribution with six points, four rebounds, and four assists.

William Kyle III added seven points, six rebounds, and a block while electrifying the home crowd with a pair of emphatic dunks.

The Bruins applied full-court pressure in the opening half, forcing 14 turnovers which turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor. UCLA held Boston University to just 28 percent from the field in the first half to build a 39-22 lead after 20 minutes.

UCLA opened the contest on a 12-3 scoring run that was punctuated by Kyle III's thunderous dunk. Johnson and Skyy Clark added layups, pushing the Bruins to a commanding 16-5 lead. Mack, who led the team with eight points in the first half, chipped in with two lay-ins, extending the lead to 18-7 at the under-12 media timeout.

Stefanovic sank his second three-pointer of the half at the 9:42 mark, but a seven-minute field goal drought for UCLA followed. Kyle III finally broke the dry spell with a put-back slam, initiating a 9-2 burst that saw the Bruins head into the break with a comfortable 39-22 lead.

The Bruins found their rhythm offensively to start the second half, as Stefanovic's third triple ignited an 11-0 run. The margin grew to 30 points following Trent Perry's three-pointer and layups from Dailey Jr. and Mack just under the 10-minute mark.

Aday Mara delivered some productive minutes in the closing stages, throwing down a powerful dunk after receiving a feed from Mack. Mara racked up seven points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds in 11 minutes of action.

Dailey Jr. paced the UCLA offense in the second half, going 3-of-4 from the floor to notch a team-high eight points.

The Bruins will continue their homestand against Lehigh on Friday, Nov. 15, at Pauley Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT and will be available for viewing on B1G+.