LOS ANGELES, CA — Skyy Clark scored a season-high 30 points and UCLA erupted for one of its most prolific halves in program history, pulling away from Cal Poly for a 108-87 nonconference victory Friday night at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial.
The Bruins trailed at halftime but overwhelmed the Mustangs after the break, shooting 62 percent in the second half and turning defense into offense to cruise past the visitors. UCLA finished with six players in double figures and topped the 100-point mark for the first time in more than a year.
UCLA (9-3) outscored Cal Poly 65-42 in the second half, opening the period with a decisive 17-2 run that flipped a two-point deficit into a commanding lead. Clark led the charge, connecting on six 3-pointers and igniting the crowd as the Bruins seized control less than five minutes into the half.
“Obviously, we have a scouting report and we watch film, and we talk about it,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “I told them that they’re going to shoot more threes tonight than they usually shoot, because that’s their best chance to win. Our guys rallied up and give them credit. They tightened up the defense in the second half, and we forced 24 turnovers and built up a 27-point lead.”
Clark finished 10 of 19 from the field and became the first UCLA player to score at least 30 points since Dylan Andrews did so in the Pac-12 Tournament in March 2024. Tyler Bilodeau added 24 points, while Donovan Dent scored 16. Jamar Brown had 14 points, Trent Perry scored 12 and Eric Dailey Jr. chipped in 10 as the Bruins showcased their depth.
Cal Poly (5-8) kept pace early, shooting efficiently from the perimeter. The Mustangs made 9 of 17 shots from 3-point range in the first half and shot 56 percent overall, building a 45-43 lead at intermission. The opening half featured five lead changes and six ties, as neither team could create separation.
UCLA’s execution after halftime proved decisive. The Bruins assisted on 15 baskets in the second half and committed zero turnovers during that stretch. Their 65 points after the break marked the program’s highest scoring output in a half since December 1994.
The Mustangs briefly cut the deficit to 74-68 with just under 10 minutes to play, but UCLA responded immediately. Brown drilled a 3-pointer, Dent followed with a steal and assist in transition, and Clark later knocked down his sixth 3-pointer to extend the lead to 99-77 with 4:25 remaining.
“We just stayed aggressive and trusted each other,” Clark said. “Once we got stops, everything opened up for us on the offensive end.”
UCLA will host UC Riverside on Tuesday in its final nonconference game before opening Big Ten play in January. Cal Poly continues its road stretch looking to build consistency after a strong first-half showing against a nationally recognized opponent.