LOS ANGELES – The game that unfolded Sunday night at Pauley Pavilion looked strangely familiar.
Two days earlier, in its season opener in the same building, UCLA carried a 13-point second-half lead over Monmouth before watching it evaporate and eventually falling in overtime.
Against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the Bruins led by 15 points early in the second half. The lead vanished. This time, though, they prevailed, defeating the Mustangs, 88-83.
“We found a way to win, and very happy with that, because that’s not easy,” UCLA coach Steve Alford said.
Sophomore center Thomas Welsh led the Bruins (1-1) in scoring 22 points, followed by junior guard Bryce Alford and senior forward Tony Parker, who had 18 points and 16, respectively.