Westwood, CA – The Washington Huskies (13-12, 8-7) were no match for No. 13 UCLA (19-5, 11-4) on Saturday night as Jaylen Clark and David Singleton both set career highs in securing the Bruin’s 76-50 blowout victory.
Clark showed out for his second consecutive game dropping 25 points and grabbing five rebounds.
He commented on if he feels in a groove after two impressive performances in row.
“Oh yeah for sure. I got the opportunity. I just got to make the most out of it. Keep working like I said. I just feel like everything I’ve done in the dark is starting to come to the light.”
Singleton got into a rhythm early in the first half and posted 22 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished three assists.
“I just knew, in the zone, there were going to be holes in the zone, so I just wanted to run to the open spots. I was just being prepared. Every night, just being prepared. You never know when the team might need you. Tonight, they needed me, so I just got the job done – contributed to the win,” said Singleton.
The Bruins got off to a slow start as the Huskies led 6-0, but the Bruins quickly picked up the pace to dominate on both ends of the floor.
“I feel like we just haven’t seen many zones. Washington’s zone is very up and very aggressive. But when people like Dave started hitting threes, it started opening [the zone]. They started having to guard him, stretch it out. Then, we can get into the middle and attack it inside out,” said Clark.
Tyger Campbell returned to the starting lineup after serving a one game suspension on Thursday night.
After the first Huskie made basket, Campbell went out at the 19:43 mark in the first half grabbing his left shoulder. He returned at the 15:57 mark and scored six points for the game.
“I think he just took a stinger to the shoulder. I didn’t see it, but I saw him do that [gesture]. I was just happy his shoulder didn’t pop out,” said coach Cronin.
Johnny Juzang and Cody Riley were both ruled out.
“Load management,” said coach Cronin of Riley’s absence.
Cronin stated whether both players would be available for Monday’s game.
“Cody for sure. I would think Johnny. He fell off of a scooter. It’s just unbelievable. It’s the year of the unbelievable. Let’s just get it all over before March, I hope. You can’t even make it up. Literally you can’t make that up.”
Cronin expounded upon his team stepping up when players have gone down.
“Really happy for David [Singleton], obviously. Even though they played zone, I thought Jaylen Clark had a good game because he does such a great job of moving. He just keeps cutting and moving. You got to move people and the ball against the zone defense. David was the recipient of a lot of good ball movement. Obviously with Johnny out tonight it was important for David and Jake to give us some made shots.”
The Bruins handed the Huskies their first three-game losing streak of the season.
UCLA’s next matchup is against the Arizona State Wildcats at home on Monday, February 21 at 6 p.m.
