UCLA guard Tyger Campbell, right, shoots as Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, left, and guard Dalen Terry defend during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA’s Jules Bernard is defended by Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin as he drives to the basket during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Pelle Larsson drives to the basket as he is defended by UCLA’s Jules Bernard during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Tyger Campbell is charged with a foul on Arizona’s Christian Koloko as they reach for the ball during the first half of their game against Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA coach Mick Cronin yells from the bench during the first half of their game against Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard David Singleton, left, shoots as Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis, center, and center Christian Koloko defend during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, left, shoots as Arizona center Christian Koloko defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo drives to the basket as he is defended by UCLA’s Myles Johnson during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., left, and Arizona guard Pelle Larsson battle for a loose ball during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Arizona’s Pelle Larsson battle for a loose ball during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. The seventh-ranked Bruins held the third-ranked Wildcats to 30.7% shooting and forced 14 turnovers in a 75-59 win. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. takes a loose ball from Arizona’s Pelle Larsson during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. The seventh-ranked Bruins held the third-ranked Wildcats to 30.7% shooting and forced 14 turnovers in a 75-59 win. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Justin Kier goes up for a shot as he is defended by UCLA’s Cody Riley, center, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., right, during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Justin Kier goes up for a shot as he is defended by UCLA’s Myles Johnson during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Justin Kier goes up for a shot as he is defended by UCLA’s Myles Johnson during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Kerr Kriisa defends as UCLA’s Johnny Juzang handles the ball during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Kerr Kriisa defends as UCLA’s Johnny Juzang handles the ball during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo dunks during the first half of their Pac-12 game against UCLA on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA forward Cody Riley, right, shoots as Arizona center Christian Koloko defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona’s Dalen Terry defends as UCLA guard Johnny Juzang as he handles the ball during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. is guarded by Arizona’s Pelle Larsson as he drives to the basket during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard Peyton Watson, right, drives into Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa during the first half during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona’s Christian Koloko gets past UCLA’s Cody Riley for a shot during the first half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard Tyger Campbell looks on after scoring during the first half of their game against Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, right, shoots as UCLA forward Cody Riley defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin gestures during the first half of their game against Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona center Christian Koloko, left, reaches for a loose ball along with UCLA guard Tyger Campbell during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona guard Justin Kier, left, shoots as UCLA center Myles Johnson defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona center Oumar Ballo dunks during the first half of their game against UCLA on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo blocks a shot by UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the second half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., left, shoots as Arizona center Oumar Ballo defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo blocks a shot by UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the second half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard Tyger Campbell, right, drives toward the basket as Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin, right, shoots as UCLA center Myles Johnson defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA’s Peyton Watson drives to the basket during the second half of their Pac-12 game against Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. steals the ball from Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin during the second half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin, center, shoots as UCLA guard Peyton Watson, left, and guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. defend during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, top, shoots as Arizona guard Dalen Terry defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo defends UCLA’s Johnny Juzang as he drives to the basket during the second half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, center, shoots as Arizona center Christian Koloko, left, and guard Justin Kier defend during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang holds the pose as he shoots a 3-point shot as Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa watches during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. gets past Arizona’s Oumar Ballo on his way to the basket during the second half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA’s David Singleton celebrates with courtside fans during the second half of their Pac-12 game against Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona center Oumar Ballo, left, dunks as UCLA guard Johnny Juzang defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA guard Jules Bernard, left, shoots as Arizona guard Justin Kier defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, right, celebrates after scoring as Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa stands by during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, right, celebrates a turnover as Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa looks toward the scoreboard during the second half of their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, right, talks with guard Bennedict Mathurin in the closing minutes of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA point guard Tyger Campbell celebrates after defeating Arizona in a Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Tyger Campbell, left, and Johnny Juzang celebrate after defeating Arizona in a Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA guard Tyger Campbell, left, celebrates with teammates after being taken out during the closing seconds of their victory over Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona’s Adama Bal, right, shows his frustration as UCLA’s Cody Riley, left, and Peyton Watson celebrate after defeating the Wildcats in a Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Arizona’s Adama Bal, right, shows his frustration as UCLA’s Cody Riley, left, and Peyton Watson celebrate after defeating the Wildcats in a Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Cody Riley and Arizona’s Christian Koloko jump for the opening tip-off during their Pac-12 game on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
UCLA Bruins fans throw confetti to celebrate after the Bruins’ first basket of the game against Arizona on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Students started lining up outside at 8 a.m. for Tuesday night’s nationally-televised Pac-12 basketball showdown. Their dedication was tested. They couldn’t leave the line unless it was for a 10-minute bathroom break, which was monitored by a school staff member. Leave for too long and they’d lose their spot in line.
“I saw them out there early, I walked over to talk to them and they were going nuts,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said of the eagerly waiting students. “I told them I missed them. It’s what makes it fun.”
Twelve hours is a long time, but not compared to the 54 days since fans were allowed into Pauley Pavilion to watch the seventh-ranked Bruins play in person. The last time students could cheer for the team in its home arena was Dec. 1, when UCLA hosted Colorado.
UCLA students (at front of line) have been lined up since 8 a.m. for entry to tonight’s UCLA-Arizona game in Pauley Pavilion (8pm tip). They can’t leave the line unless its for a 10-minute bathroom break, which is monitored by a UCLA staff member. That’s dedication. pic.twitter.com/R03JeTrw5C
The fans made up for lost time by providing a raucous atmosphere that helped UCLA defeat third-ranked Arizona, 75-59, with a gritty defensive effort that handed the Wildcats their first Pac-12 Conference loss of the season.
Johnny Juzang and Jules Bernard each had 15 points to lead four Bruins (14-2, 6-1 Pac-12) in double figures. Cody Riley had 12 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 10 (all in the second half) and Tyger Campbell had nine.
“It was by far our most spirited 40 minutes of the year,” Cronin said. “Effort matters. I learned a long time ago: effort matters. Our effort was awesome.”
UCLA, which won its fourth game in a row and improved to 8-1 at home, finished 8 for 17 from 3-point range and shot 50% overall.
The Bruins were outrebounded 49-34 and gave up 21 offensive rebounds, but that’s partly because their defense held Arizona to 30.7% shooting.
“They got some rebounds, but they missed (52) shots. You’re going to get some rebounds,” Cronin said.
After an opening five minutes that saw the teams combine to make nine of their first 11 shots, the Bruins flexed their defensive muscles. UCLA held Arizona to just 11 points in the final 15 minutes of the first half, including a 15-4 run highlighted by Juzang’s two 3-pointers and an array of jump shots from Bernard. One of Bernard’s jumpers gave UCLA a 40-25 advantage with 1:25 left before taking a 40-29 lead into halftime.
“To come out and prove that we have the energy, fight and grit to beat a team like Arizona, it was telling,” Bernard said.
The Bruins had an answer for anything the Wildcats (16-2, 6-1) threw at them.
An Arizona run in the second half cut what had been a 16-point deficit to just seven, but back-to-back shots from Jaquez and a nifty pass from Juzang to Myles Johnson for a 3-point play pushed UCLA’s lead to 61-46.
“This group of guys, we love these type of games, we love these big games and big matchups,” Juzang said. “Everybody battled.”
Freshman Peyton Watson delivered one of the best plays of the night when he rejected a Justin Kier shot into the stands then followed the adrenaline-pumping play with a staredown. It brought the crowd of 11,268 to its feet.
“Peyton Watson’s spirit, his athleticism, he changed the game in the first half. It was a tremendous effort from our guys,” Cronin said.
Cronin was concerned about the challenge 7-foot-1 center Christian Koloko presented for UCLA, but the Bruins handled his presence well. Koloko finished with just 11 points and seven rebounds.
“We did a good job of not letting him be a dominant shot-blocker. We had eight (blocked shots), they had two,” Cronin said. “Koloko is the most improved player in the country, in my opinion.”
The Wildcats cut the UCLA lead to eight with less than eight minutes to play, but the Bruins answered again. Back-to-back 3-pointers from David Singleton and Bernard created another double-digit cushion at 67-53.
“It’s just been something we’ve been impressing all week: trying to take our team and our game to the next level, find that intensity that we have and put it out on the floor,” Jaquez said.
Bennedict Mathurin scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half for the Wildcats, who had their five-game winning streak snapped while behing held to their season-low point total.
Arizona had dominated in its previous three Pac-12 road games, winning by at least 25 points. But the Wildcats were held 29 points below their average and had 14 turnovers in their sixth consecutive loss to the Bruins. UCLA visits Tucson for a rematch next week.
UCLA fans chanted “Overrated!” at the Wildcats, who had their share of fans on hand at Pauley Pavilion. Arizona was the highest-ranked opponent to play at UCLA since No. 1 Kentucky on Dec. 3, 2015.
“Pretty good plan against us,” Mathurin said. “We needed to prepare a little bit better. We’ll adjust.”
Despite the convincing win, Jaquez won’t give in to the praise.
“We like being the underdog,” Jaquez said. “That’s our mentality.”
CLARK SITS OUT
UCLA sophomore guard Jaylen Clark sat out after sustaining an injury at practice on Monday after getting hit in the face and suffering concussion-like symptoms.
UP NEXT
UCLA hosts Cal on Thursday in the second of three straight home games.
: ESPN
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