No. 2 UCLA withstands Bellarmine rally, wins 75-62
LAS VEGAS -- — Peyton Watson had 19 points, Johnny Juzang added 13 and No. 2 UCLA beat Bellarmine 75-62 on Monday night in the Empire Classic.
Watson shot 9 of 12 and had four rebounds, easily outpacing his 3.3 points average through four games this season.
David Singleton added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting for the Bruins (5-0), who will face No. 1 Gonzaga in a rematch of last season’s Final Four on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs won 93-90 in overtime on a buzzer-beater from Jalen Suggs.
Bellarmine (0-5) lost in double digits for the fourth time in five games and is coming off consecutive losses against the nation’s top two teams. The Knights lost 92-50 at Gonzaga on Friday.
Dylan Penn led Bellarmine with 19 points and seven rebounds, while CJ Fleming had 12 points and made two 3-pointers.
BIG PICTURE
UCLA: The gap in talent was evident with the Bruins despite their shooting struggles. UCLA started the game shooting 2 of 10 from the floor, but both makes were 3-pointers from Juzang. Bellarmine had a 2 for 14 stretch during a 16-2 UCLA run midway through the first half.
Bellarmine: The “no-dribble” offense has been tested early this season. The Knights have played three teams who made the NCAA Tournament last season (UCLA, Gonzaga, No. 3 Purdue) and one that played in the NIT (Saint Mary’s).
UP NEXT
UCLA: Will face No. 1 Gonzaga on Tuesday night.
Bellarmine: Plays Central Michigan on Tuesday.
------
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ron Groover
- James Breeding
- Jeffrey Anderson
2024-25 Big Ten Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 9-1 | - | 18-3 |
| Purdue | 9-2 | 0.5 | 17-5 |
| Michigan | 8-2 | 1 | 16-5 |
| Maryland | 7-4 | 2.5 | 17-5 |
| Wisconsin | 7-4 | 2.5 | 17-5 |
| UCLA | 7-4 | 2.5 | 16-6 |
| Illinois | 6-5 | 3.5 | 14-7 |
| Oregon | 5-5 | 4 | 16-5 |
| Ohio State | 5-5 | 4 | 13-8 |
| USC | 5-5 | 4 | 13-8 |
| Indiana | 5-6 | 4.5 | 14-8 |
| Iowa | 4-6 | 5 | 13-8 |
| Rutgers | 4-7 | 5.5 | 11-11 |
| Nebraska | 3-7 | 6 | 13-8 |
| Penn State | 3-8 | 6.5 | 13-9 |
| Northwestern | 3-8 | 6.5 | 12-10 |
| Minnesota | 3-8 | 6.5 | 11-11 |
| Washington | 2-8 | 7 | 11-10 |
2024-25 West Coast Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's | 9-0 | - | 19-3 |
| Gonzaga | 7-2 | 2 | 16-6 |
| San Francisco | 7-3 | 2.5 | 17-6 |
| Santa Clara | 7-4 | 3 | 15-9 |
| Oregon State | 6-4 | 3.5 | 16-7 |
| Loyola Marymount | 6-4 | 3.5 | 14-8 |
| Washington State | 5-5 | 4.5 | 15-8 |
| Pepperdine | 3-6 | 6 | 9-13 |
| Portland | 2-8 | 7.5 | 7-16 |
| Pacific | 2-9 | 8 | 7-18 |
| San Diego | 1-10 | 9 | 4-20 |
Men's College Basketball News
