Trent Perry helps UCLA avoid disaster in win over

For a little more than a half Monday night time, UCLA was compelled to ponder the unimaginable.

Facing West Georgia, a group that was in its second season in Division I and had been given a 1% probability to win by the metrics of basketball analyst Ken Pomeroy, the listless Bruins led by only 5 factors early in the second half at Pauley Pavilion.

Even without star level guard Donovan Dent, who was being held out for precautionary causes because of a muscle pressure, this was uncomfortably tight. West Georgia’s bombs-away strategy stored the rating aggressive, the Wolves taking — and making — one three-pointer after another.

But the No. 15 Bruins finally asserted themselves with a big run sparked by some spectacular offense of their own, pulling away for an 83-62 victory to avoid embarrassment on their home court.

Point guard Trent Perry, beginning in place of Dent, ignited his group’s 10-0 push with an help and a layup in transition. Eventually the Bruins (3-0) discovered themselves forward by 20 factors, leaving West Georgia (1-2) with no method to catch them even on a night time when the Wolves made 13 of 25 three-pointers (52%).

UCLA persevered thanks largely to ahead Tyler Bilodeau’s 21 factors on seven-for-12 taking pictures and a well-rounded effort from Perry, who logged profession highs with 17 factors and 9 assists to go with only two turnovers. Forward Eric Dailey Jr. added 14 factors.

The Bruins had been far more environment friendly on offense in the second half, making 14 of 25 pictures (56%) to end the sport taking pictures 49.1%.

But the result wasn’t a foregone conclusion until about halfway through the second half thanks to West Georgia’s success from past the arc.

The Bruins had been forward only 37-32 at halftime after West Georgia made 9 of 13 three-pointers. Shelton Williams-Dryden made three of 4 three-pointers and scored 16 factors to lead the Wolves, who play in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Things get a lot harder for the Bruins in a hurry. They will play No. 5 Arizona on Friday at the Intuit Dome.

UCLA will need not just Dent back but also the protection that has made coach Mick Cronin’s groups far more formidable than they seemed for a lot of Monday night time.