UPDATE: The UCLA Bruins overcame a shaky second-half performance to secure a 74-63 victory over the Oregon Ducks at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday. Despite being nearly unstoppable in the first half, shooting 55.6% (15 for 27), UCLA struggled after the break, hitting only 32.1% (9 for 28) of their shots.
Coach Mick Cronin praised his team’s resilience, stating, “Awful, awful shooting. And we still were able to win by 11. Gotta be happy with that.” The Bruins improved their record to 7-2 and remain undefeated in the Big Ten at 2-0, while Oregon fell to 4-5 and 0-2 in conference play.
A key point of concern for UCLA was senior guard Donovan Dent, who struggled offensively, finishing with just 4 points on 4 for 14 shooting and 0 for 1 from three-point range. However, Cronin highlighted Dent’s contributions to defense, specifically against Oregon’s standout Jackson Shelstad, who scored 20 points.
“Donnie’s effort was great,” Cronin remarked. “He’s hard on himself about whether the ball goes in or not.” Dent, a transfer from New Mexico, arrived at UCLA with high expectations, having averaged 20.4 points per game last season and earning a lucrative $3 million name, image, and likeness deal.
Despite his shooting woes this season, where he averages just 12 points with a 36.2% shooting percentage, Cronin emphasized the importance of Dent’s role as a leader. “He doesn’t have to be Superman on our team,” he said, urging Dent to focus on defense and team play.
Teammates have noticed Dent’s frustration. Junior Eric Dailey Jr. encouraged him, saying, “Keep your head up. You’re gonna miss shots, you’re gonna make shots. It don’t matter. We’re gonna need you to keep shooting.”
As UCLA looks ahead, the pressure remains on Dent to regain his scoring touch, especially with the Bruins aiming for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Cronin affirmed, “We all know he’s going to have monster nights. He’s got it in him.”
Fans will be watching closely as the season progresses, eager to see if Dent can find his rhythm and help lead UCLA to victory in their upcoming games. The next challenge awaits as the Bruins prepare for their next matchup, with high hopes for a stronger offensive performance.
