Western Kentucky-UCLA: postgame

UCLA defeated Western Kentucky, 88-78, but was badly outplayed in the second half, when the Hilltoppers scored 58 points to UCLA's 47 to nearly upset the Bruins. In the first 14 minutes of the second half, Western Kentucky outscored the Bruins, 37-20.

>> It's the most second-half points UCLA has given up this year; only one other team even scored 50, and that was at Pauley Pavilion when Washington State narrowed a big Bruin lead (18 at the half) into a tight game at the end.

>> Western Kentucky shot a modest 19-41 in the second half (46.3%) compared to UCLA's 50% on 14-28, but the Hilltoppers got up 13 more shots than the Bruins. For the game, Western Kentucky's 72 shot attempts is easily the most UCLA has given up this season in any game; teams only got 60 or more attempts in five other games.

>> UCLA had 17 turnovers; the last time that happened was 21 games ago against Washington at Pauley Pavilion. The season high is 18, three times in the preconference season.

>> The Bruins did some things very well, however. UCLA made 11 of 12 foul shots in the final minute and a half to seal the win.

>> UCLA had three players with double-doubles tonight: Kevin Love had a career-high 29 points on 10-14 shooting and 14 rebounds; James Keefe had career highs in points and rebounds with 18 and 12, respectively; and Russell Westbrook had 14 points and tied his career high with 11 rebounds. Josh Shipp added 14 points on 5-9 shooting and 2-3 from the three-point line.

>> After helping save the Bruins against Texas A&M in the second round, Darren Collison fouled out for the first time this season and the first time in his career at UCLA. He had four points, one assist and four turnovers. The one assist and four turnovers matched his totals against Texas A&M, but he had 21 points then.

>> The Bruins are now 34-3; no UCLA team has ever won that many games. UCLA will play Xavier on Saturday at 3:40 p.m. Pacific time; it will be only the second meeting with the Musketeers (the Bruins lead, 1-0).