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Love, UCLA breeze past Youngstown State

Nov 14, 2007 - 6:59 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- When UCLA gets back to full health, it could make opponents queasy.

Freshman Kevin Love scored 21 points as the No. 2-ranked Bruins coasted to an 83-52 victory over Youngstown State on Monday night in the CBE Classic.

Lorenza Mata added 14 points and 14 rebounds as UCLA won its 22nd consecutive home game and advanced to play Division II Cal State-San Bernardino, which defeated Weber State, 71-59, earlier Monday.

"Lorenzo Mata-Real played another great game, with 14 rebounds, 10 in the first half," Bruins coach Ben Howland said. "That is his second double-double in four games this season."

Despite missing Darren Collison, one of the nation's premier point guards, and Michael Roll due to injuries, UCLA didn't miss a beat against the overmatch Penguins.

Russell Westbrook stepped in for Collison and had nine points, nine rebounds and four assists.

"I was pleased with Russell's performance," Howland said. "His nine assists came with only three turnovers, which is a big improvement from last game."

The Bruins (2-0) used their typical stifling defense to turn the game into a rout.

Leading, 44-29, at halftime, UCLA opened the second half with a 19-4 run in just over 5 1/2 minutes to push the margin to 30 points, 63-33.

"I thought we had another good defensive performance. We were able to hold them under 40% shooting for the game, which is always our goal," Howland said.

Love, the reigning National high school player of the year, followed up his 22-point, 13-rebound collegiate debut with another strong effort.

The 6-10 center scored 12 of his points in the first half, including a three-point play that hiked the lead to 41-24 with exactly 2:00 to play. He also had nine rebounds, just missing his second straight double-double.

The Bruins held Youngstown State without a field goal for just over five minutes in the first half and extended a six-point lead to 27-12 with a 10-1 run that was punctuated by Mata's slam dunk.

Nikola Dragovic and Josh Shipp also were in double figures for UCLA with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

"We need to rest tonight because we have to play a very good, pressing team tomorrow," said Howland of Cal State-San Bernardino. "They press all game, which will be a good experience for us. CSUSB is a very good program, with good players and an excellent coach."

John Barber scored 12 points and Byron Davis 11 for the Penguins (0-1), who haven't defeated a ranked opponent since 1952.