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UCLA hopes to keep rolling against California

Feb 22, 2007 - 6:00 PM California (14-12) at No. 4 UCLA (23-3) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- UCLA can clinch at least a share of the Pac-10 Conference title with a win over rival California on Thursday night.

The Bruins (23-3, 12-2 Pac-10) have won two games in a row to move a game ahead of Washington State in the conference standings.

UCLA posted a 62-46 triumph over California in the last meeting between the schools.

Arron Afflalo led the way, scoring 20 of his 25 points in the second half to help stretch a 28-24 halftime lead into a rout.

UCLA is coming off a 70-65 win over cross-town rival Southern California. Point guard Darren Collison led the charge with 17 points and Afflalo added 16 to pace the Bruins.

California (14-12, 6-8) will have to do a better job on Afflalo defensively, as the junior guard enters the contest second in the Pac-10 in scoring at 17.5 points per game.

The Golden Bears have won two in a row after a six-game losing streak. Their latest win was an 84-80 overtime victory over Oregon State. Freshman guard Patrick Christopher came off the bench to score 24 points and grab 11 rebounds.