No. 2 UCLA Cruises Past UC Santa Barbara

LOS ANGELES (AP) — T.J. Leaf had 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and fellow freshman Lonzo Ball added 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as No.2 UCLA overpowered UC Santa Barbara 102-62 on Wednesday night.

Aaron Holiday had 20 points for the Bruins (11-0), who led by 24 points at halftime and were never threatened by the outmanned Gauchos (1-7).

It was the fifth time this season the Bruins scored at least 100 points.

Ami Lakoju had 12 rebounds and 11 points, and Gabe Vincent added 10 points for the Gauchos.

Santa Barbara outrebounded UCLA 50-46 but shot only 30.1 percent (25 of 83).

The Bruins played their second consecutive game without starting center Thomas Welch, who is out with a bruised right heel.

BIG PICTURE

UC Santa Barbara: The Bruins were the highest-ranked team the Gauchos have faced since meeting No. 1 North Carolina on Nov. 21, 2008. The Tar Heels won 84-67.

UCLA: Coming off Saturday's 102-84 victory over Michigan, the Bruins were ripe for a letdown but had too much talent to ever be in trouble against Santa Barbara.

TURNING POINT

The Bruins trailed once, slipping behind 12-11. They responded with a 17-0 run — all but three points scored by Leaf.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE

There have been only four triple-doubles recorded by a Bruin in UCLA history. Leaf finished two assists and Ball three assists of joining the list.

POLL IMPLICTIONS

The Bruins looked very much the No. 2 team in the country, the spot they have held since upsetting then-No. 1 Kentucky on Dec. 3.

UP NEXT

UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos meet Iona on Wednesday in Las Vegas in the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic.

UCLA: The Bruins meet Ohio State on Saturday in Las Vegas as part of the CBS Sports Classic. The Buckeyes will have been off a week.