Inside the Boxscore: UCLA 65, Arizona 58

1. The Wear twins combine for 19 points a game for UCLA. But on Thursday they scored 34, including a career high 20 for Travis Wear, and led the Bruins to their first Pac-12 victory. Older brother David had 14, and both players played exactly 22 minutes. Between them they shot 13-16 (81%) from the field (all 2s) and 8-8 from the line. Each brother had 5 rebounds. David had 1 offensive and 4 defensive boards, while Travis had 4 offensive and 1 defensive. David turned the ball over 3 times, and Travis blocked 3 shots.

2. Arizona shot 3-17 from beyond the arc (17.6%). Brendon Lavender came off the bench to hit 2-3 and the rest of the team shot 1-14. Arizona entered the game shooting 37.9% on 3s (55th nationally) while UCLA defended them at a woeful 39.3% (325th). For Arizona it was the fewest 3-pt shots they’ve made all season, and it was their lowest %. For UCLA it was the lowest anyone has made against them this season (tied with Pepperdine) and the best defensive % they’ve had. Arizona has now played 5 of the nation’s 25 worst 3-point defenses.

3. Arizona’s defense didn’t record a single block against UCLA. It was the 2nd game this year in which that has happened, and the Wildcats haven’t had a season with more than two zero-block games since the 2006-07 season. On the season Arizona blocks 8.3% of their opponents shots (203rd). Considering UCLA attempted 55 shots, an average game would have been 4.6 blocks.

4. With Joshua Smith in street clothes due to a concussion, it would seem that UCLA might struggle to extend possessions with offensive rebounds. Josh Smith grabs 18% of UCLAs misses, which is the 8th best rate in the country. On Thursday the Bruins grabbed 9-31 (29%), which is just 4% (or 1 offensive board) below their season average, and this against a team that is 83rd nationally at not allowing offensive rebounds.

5. The strength of UCLAs offense has been ball security. They turn it over on only 16.4% of their possessions, which is 11th best in the country. For the game they had 9 turnovers in 67 possessions (13.4%). Arizona’s defense is 288th at forcing turnovers.

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