Mississippi Valley State-UCLA: postgame I

The Bruins won their 32nd game of the year — equaling the school record achieved twice previously — and advanced to Saturday's second-round game against Texas A&M by beating 16th-seed Mississippi Valley State, 70-29. Of note:

>> The 29 points given up by UCLA is the least since Feb. 17, 1967, when the Bruins — with sophomore Lew Alcindor at center — defeated Oregon in Eugene in a slowdown game, 34-25. It's the lowest number of points given up by any Bruin team in the school's NCAA Tournament history.

>> The 41-point margin is the biggest of the season for the Bruins; they defeated Idaho State, 89-49, on Dec. 15 at Pauley Pavilion.

>> The Bruins shot 47% for the game (27-57) and 40% from three-point range (8-20), but held Mississippi Valley State to just 19% on 13-66 from the field, the lowest by a Bruin opponent this season (previous, 31.3% by Michigan on Dec. 22). The Della Devils made just 13 field goals, also a season best for the Bruins, which gave up only 17 field goals to Cal State San Bernardino on Nov. 13.

>> UCLA had 50 rebounds to 29 for Mississippi Valley State today. That's a seasonal high for the Bruins (49 vs. Youngstown State on Nov. 12) and the biggest rebound margin in any game this season (previous best, 19 four times).

>> UCLA was credited with 13 blocked shots (equal to Mississippi Valley State's made field goals!), a season high; the best previous performance was 10 vs. Oregon State on Feb. 21.

>> The Bruins also forced 11 turnovers, the 16th straight game that UCLA's opponent has had 10 or more turnovers.

>> Kevin Love led all scorers with 20 points and had nine rebounds, sharing game honors with Lorenzo Mata-Real, who also had nine boards. Love has scored in double figures in all 35 games this season.

>> Forward James Keefe equaled his career high in rebounds with seven and set a career best with four blocks.