UCLA rides defense to demolition of Cal State Fullerton

Kobe Johnson scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds and passed for five assists, and a stifling UCLA defense shut down Cal State Fullerton en route to a 80-47 victory on Friday in Los Angeles.

UCLA (5-1) won its fourth straight game, all by double-digit margins, and remained perfect at home, thanks in part to a strong defensive effort. The Bruins held Cal State Fullerton (1-5) to 15-of-52 shooting from the floor, 28.8 percent, while forcing the Titans into 21 turnovers.

UCLA converted those takeaways into 27 points.

Although the Bruins never trailed, their defense did not completely take over until late in the first half. Cal State Fullerton trailed 28-23 with 5:38 remaining before intermission thanks to a Davis Bynum 3-pointer, part of his 10 points on the night.

The Titans managed only two more points the rest of the half, and UCLA went on a 20-4 run that carried over to the first media timeout of the second half.

The Bruins put the game away with a 13-1 surge midway through the second half.

UCLA's offense, meanwhile, committed just seven turnovers. The Bruins shot 30-for-60 from the floor, with 22 of their made baskets coming off of assists. Johnson's five led seven UCLA players with at least two assists, including Dylan Andrews with four.

Five Bruins scored in double figures, including Aday Mara and Trent Perry with 10 points apiece off the bench. Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey Jr. each had 11 points.

Keith Richard matched Bynum's 10 points for Cal State Fullerton's team high. Donovan Oday finished with seven points.

Bynum and Zachary Visentin each grabbed eight rebounds for the Titans. Cal State Fullerton grabbed 13 offensive rebounds but managed just seven second-chance points.

--Field Level Media