UCLA needed to work on a few things before the Pac 10 season starts in a couple weeks, and at the top of the list was beating a zone defense. LMU was kind enough to provide the sparring partner.
The Lions played a zone all night and the Bruins crushed it, mostly by shooting over the top of it with 33 three-point attempts, and they cruised to a 75-44 victory. The win improved UCLA to 7-2 on the season and kept LMU winless at 0-11.
All week in practice UCLA has been working on busting zones, something they have struggled with so far this season and can expect to see a ton of come Pac-10 time. LMU gave them some live target practice, although the difference in skill and athleticism between the squads was apparent early (LMU has just seven scholarship players and starts three freshmen) as UCLA raced out to a quick double-digit lead.
Ben Howland got deep into his bench early, and those players saw a lot of wide-open three looks. The designated shooter off the bench was Michael Roll, who was three of three from beyond the arc for nine first half points. Add in the 10 Bruin offensive rebounds and UCLA was up by 15 points at the half.
Roll finished with four three pointers and 12 points. Point guard Darren Collison added 11, but no other Bruin scored in double figures as the scoring got spread way down the bench.
LaRon Armstead scored a career-high 18 points for the Lions. LMU remains without first-year coach Bill Bayno, who is on a leave of absence due to "a serious medical condition" related to job stress.
