UCLA men bounce back by dismantling Rutgers

LOS ANGELES — The UCLA men’s basketball team took its anger from a devastating, double-overtime defeat to Indiana and turned it into offense against Rutgers.

On Tuesday, there were no 7-minute stretches without a field goal as the Bruins cruised to a 98-66 victory over the Scarlet Knights, their highest point total in Big Ten play.

“Coming off the game against Indiana like that, it’s definitely a blow,” forward Tyler Bilodeau said after Tuesday’s game. “We did a good job the last couple of days in practice, really coming together and staying focused.”

The Bruins shot 35 for 63 (56%) from the field and 12 for 21 (57%) from 3-point range. They dished out a season-high 25 assists and committed a season-low two turnovers.

All five starters scored in double digits. Xavier Booker led the way with a career-high 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting and made a career-high four 3-pointers. Donovan Dent recorded his fifth double-double of the season (13 points, 11 assists).

Bilodeau scored 17 of his 19 points before the break as UCLA (16-7 overall, 8-4 Big Ten) shot an impressive 56%. The Bruins retained that mark in the second half.

Out of the break, Dent and Booker combined for a pick-and-pop 3-pointer. Booker hit a 3-pointer after an offensive rebound from Brandon Williams. Booker took a break from scoring to grab an offensive rebound and find Dailey for a thunderous dunk. Then Dent dished to a cutting Booker for an easy slam, and found him in the left corner for his fourth 3-pointer.

“Great to see Xavier Booker smile,” head coach Mick Cronin said.

Cronin stopped Monday’s practice, he said, to implore his team to pass to Booker on the perimeter rather than attempt contested two-point shots. The Bruins listened, seeking their stretch-five when his defender sagged off or helped cover paint penetrations.

“Everything just felt good today, especially coming off the first shot,” Booker said. “My teammates, they knew I was hitting shots today, so they just continued to give me the ball.”

After Booker’s fourth 3-pointer, Trent Perry celebrated his teammate’s career achievement, holding up three fingers on both hands. His selflessness was rewarded on the following possession when Dent found him in the corner for a 3-pointer.

Dent’s ability to carve up Rutgers’ defense was the impetus for UCLA’s offensive eruption. His intentional drives forced the Scarlet Knights’ defense to collapse, opening lanes for cutters and space for shooters. Dent assisted on two of Booker’s 3-pointers. He found Bilodeau twice on the perimeter, and kicked to Eric Freeny in the corner pocket.

“If Donovan wants any chance of a pro career he has to come here and do three things,” Cronin said. “One is, make us win. Two and three are how to make us win. Take care of the ball and play harder on defense, much harder. Because those two things are going to give him a chance.”

Despite being in a shooting slump for the first half of the season, Dent’s defense and decision-making have steadily improved. Over the last five games, he’s averaging 1.6 steals and has an 8.8-to-1.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.

He had a special connection with Booker on Tuesday, assisting on six of his 10 baskets. It was reminiscent of a preseason intrasquad scrimmage when the two transfers ran constant ball-screen actions, dominating their teammates.

“I have a really good relationship with [Dent] on and off the court,” Booker said. “It’s definitely been growing. It grows every day.”

Recently, Booker has also improved as a help-side defender and rim protector. He’s averaging 1.8 blocked shots over the last five games, and on Tuesday, Cronin praised his activity.

Cronin had to bring that energy out of UCLA’s defense during halftime as it allowed 40 points to Rutgers in the first half.

Rutgers freshman Kaden Powers scored 18 points in the first 20 minutes. He benefited from lazy closeouts, hitting jumpers over UCLA defenders and blowing by others. Powers hit the first shot of the night to put the Scarlet Knights (9-14, 2-10) ahead for the only time. He hit a step-back 3-pointer and converted a three-point play to bring Rutgers within one later in the first half.

But in the second half, UCLA continued its offensive outpouring and tightened its defense. Powers didn’t score again. The Bruins conceded one 3-pointer and only 26 points.