Bruins Blow Away Oregon State

Payback was sweet for UCLA.

The No. 13 Bruins, using their 15th starting lineup in 22 games, beat Oregon State 85-67 Sunday. UCLA avenged its 65-63 loss to the Beavers more than a month ago at Gil Coliseum.

"Our loss really motivated us to play as hard as we could," said UCLA guard Baron Davis, who scored 20 points. "We did that and we closed this game out very well."

The Bruins (17-5, 8-3 in Pac-10) essentially did it without starting three frontcourt regulars against the Beavers (11-9, 5-6).

JaRon Rush was benched for the entire game after being thrown out of practice Saturday by coach Steve Lavin because he wasn't happy with his effort. Jerome Moiso played just 14 minutes because of a foot injury.

Lavin was also unhappy with the practice habits of center Dan Gadzuric, who has been hampered with recurring tendinitis in his right knee. Gadzuric did play, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds in 22 minutes.

"This will never be a country-club lineup where starting is assured," Lavin said. "I was not happy with JaRon's practice in terms of what he is capable of doing. If it means losing a game, then we'll lose. What I ask is simple: play hard, be consistent in your play every day."

No matter. The Bruins overcame a sluggish start before taking control late in the first half thanks to their suffocating fullcourt trap and good shooting.

UCLA made 56.7 percent of its field goals, a high against conference opponents this season, made 7-of-19 3-point attempts and forced 23 turnovers.

"We tried to keep up the defensive pressure," Davis said. "We were playing well the whole game. We were confident with our game plan and you could tell as the game went along that the up-tempo (pace) was taking its toll on them."

Davs made 8-of-10 shots from the field, including two 3-pointers. Earl Watson added 17 points and seven assists. Ray Young had 12 points.

"We didn't handle their pressure well," Beavers guard Deaundra Tanner said. "They got too many layups in the second half, a lot of them uncontested."

"The difference on defense was ball pressure in the passing lanes," said Oregon State coach Eddie Payne. "It really helps them with transition and easy baskets."

Jason Heide led Oregon State with a game-high 21 points. Josh Steinthal had 19 points and Tanner had 13 points.

"We didn't play to UCLA's level," Heide said. "UCLA was more aggressive than they were when we beat them earlier this season."

The Bruins started sluggishly, trailing for most of the first half until Ryan Bailey's 3-pointer made it 20-19 with 8:03 to play. UCLA never trailed again, stretching its lead to 33-27 on a short jumper by Gadzuric and a 3-pointer from Matt Barnes, who finished with nine points as a starter.

"Coach told me just to be ready to play a lot today," Barnes said. "We knew yesterday how important it was for us to play hard in practice. Everyone paid attention after JaRon. No one wants that to happen to them. You know if you don't compete you're going to get kicked out of practice."

The Bruins started the second half with an 11-0 run that gave them a 41-27 lead with 17:33 remaining. UCLA extended the lead to 63-45 on a Gadzuric layup with 9:47 left.

"We just started trapping. ... It just seemed that the plays were there and it really gave them some problems," Watson said. "I know we forced them into a lot of turnovers, but we also had some good steals, getting up into the lanes and anticipating (passes)."

The Beavers closed to within 10 with 7 minutes to play on a Heide free throw but got no closer.

"In the second half we climbed back into it, then got three straight turnovers," Payne said. "Their defensive pressure really hurt us."

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