UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) threw down a monster dunk in the first half against California.
As the pace of conference play picks up, teams are beginning to look to separate themselves from the pack. And teams that have faltered already in conference are just looking to right the ship. For the UCLA Bruins, a little home cooking and a matchup with the Golden Bears of California seemed to be just what the doctor ordered as the Bruins rolled to a 20-point lead at halftime, 44-24.
The battle for California supremacy was far less competitive than most would have hoped in the first half, as six players scored for head coach Steve Alford — led by guard Bryce Alford. Alford ended the night with 24 points to lead all scorers (5-of-7 from 3-point range). But, lost in the mix of a somewhat lopsided affair, was a T.J. Leaf dunk that sent Pauley Pavilion and the UCLA faithful into a frenzy.
