After series of easy wins, UCLA hosts Southern Utah next

UCLA puts its undefeated home record on the line Tuesday in the fifth date of a six-game homestand when Southern Utah visits Los Angeles.

The Bruins (5-1) have had no trouble with any of their first five opponents at Pauley Pavilion, winning each contest by at least 14 points. They have won four straight games, having rebounded from a 72-64 setback vs. New Mexico in Henderson, Nev., on Nov. 8 with routs of Boston University (71-40), Lehigh (85-45), Idaho State (84-70) and most recently Cal State Fullerton (80-47) on Friday.

Five Bruins players scored in double figures on Friday, led by Kobe Johnson's 12 points. He added six rebounds and five assists. Dylan Andrews, who was recently dealing with a groin injury, finished with eight points, four assists and noteworthy praise from UCLA coach Mick Cronin.

Cronin was critical of Andrews, who was the team's top returning scorer, early in the season. The junior sputtered through a four-point, six-turnover game against New Mexico, and in his return against Idaho State, Andrews had as many personal fouls as points with three.

Friday was a different story, the coach said.

"All I care is that he got four assists and no turnovers, and he got four deflections, which ties his whole season," Cronin said. "He has to improve, and we talked about it, and he did."

Andrews and fellow returner Sebastian Mack are integrating with a new-look lineup that includes Southern California transfer Johnson and former Oregon State forward Tyler Bilodeau taking on prominent roles.

Southern Utah (6-1) underwent its own roster changes in the offseason, and they have been working out. The Thunderbirds are more than halfway to matching last season's win total of 10 games, and they opened this campaign with the first 4-0 start in program history.

Among the newcomers is Jamir Simpson, a standout at Division II Wisconsin-Parkside in 2022-23, who has acclimated quickly to Division I play after sitting out last season. He is riding a streak of four straight games scoring 20-plus points.

Simpson went for 28 points at Loyola Chicago on Nov. 19 and scored 21 points in Southern Utah's 82-67 win over Idaho on Saturday in San Diego.

"Staying disciplined, getting to my spots and being confident in myself to play," Simpson said of his fast start to the season. "I'm getting my confidence back and getting ready for the journey."

--Field Level Media