LOS ANGELES, CA — UCLA made history Wednesday night, turning a strong defensive performance into the largest margin of victory in program history with a 106-37 rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Pauley Pavilion.
The No. 9 Bruins (3-0) won by 69 points, surpassing their previous best winning margin of 65, a mark reached three times and last accomplished in a 122-57 victory over Portland in 1967.
UCLA’s defensive intensity was evident from the opening minutes. The Bruins held the Golden Lions to just nine first-half points, matching a program record for fewest points allowed in a half. Arkansas-Pine Bluff managed only nine field-goal attempts from its starting five before halftime.
UCLA carried a 51-9 advantage into the break after putting together a 20-0 run that helped build a 33-4 lead. The Bruins continued to apply pressure in the second half, forcing 30 turnovers and converting those mistakes into scoring opportunities.
Freshman Nikola Kusturica led UCLA with 17 points, while Jaylen Pettit added 16. Azavi Robinson scored 15, Eric Dailey Jr. finished with 13 and Trent Perry recorded 11 points and a career-high 11 assists for his first double-double.
The Bruins finished with 19 steals, 29 assists and shot 58.8% from the field. Macaleab Rich led Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 11 points.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin said the focus was not on the opponent but on improving the team’s defensive execution, particularly its help defense and communication.
“I thought our help defense was much better tonight than it was in the North Florida game,” Cronin said. “Those are the two things we were really trying to focus on tonight. I thought the guys bought in.”
Perry credited the team’s willingness to embrace Cronin’s defensive approach, regardless of the opponent.
“I always tell my team, let’s create good habits — no matter what,” Perry said. “Whoever’s in front of us, whether it’s Arizona or Arkansas-Pine Bluff. At the end of the day, we’re going to be who we are.”
The Bruins’ 69-point victory established a new standard for the storied program, while their defensive performance offered another indication of the identity Cronin wants his team to develop.
UCLA returns to Pauley Pavilion on Monday to host Long Beach State.
