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UCLA puts perfect record on the line against UC Riverside

Dec 3, 2006 - 4:05 PM UC Riverside (3-4) at No. 2 UCLA (5-0) 5:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- UCLA coach Ben Howland would prefer that his team not wait until the second half to take control this time around.

The second-ranked Bruins face the second of three straight Big West Conference opponents on Sunday when they take on UC Riverside at Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA is coming off an 88-58 victory against Long Beach State in which the team only led by two points late in the first half and 41-36 at intermission. But the Bruins opened the second half on a 15-0 run and never looked back.

Josh Shipp scored 24 points and Arron Afflalo had 20 for UCLA, which shot 13-of-26 from 3-point range and forced 23 turnovers.

If nothing else, the Highlanders should be well-rested for Sunday's contest. They have not played since November 24, when they dropped a 78-75 decision to Southeast Missouri State.

Larry Cunningham scored 21 points and Justin Bell added 18 for UC Riverside, which shot just 43 percent (28-of-65) from the field and 5-of-15 from the foul line.

UCLA has won both previous meetings between the teams.