WESTWOOD -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team got to experience historic Pauley Pavilion and compete against a talented and big UCLA team in an exhibition contest Friday.
The Golden Eagles held their own for most of the first half before UCLA pulled away in the second half to post a 95-57 victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,930 at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA, which reached the Sweet Sixteen last season, had an overwhelming 60-26 rebounding edge and shot 49.3 percent for the game.
Joshua Munzon had a team-high 17 points for Cal State LA, while
Duce Zaid scored 12 points.
Justin Snavely and
Brandon Hitchman had six points each.
UCLA had five players reach double figures, led by Isaac Hamilton, who had 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Aaron Holiday had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Tony Parker had 14 points and seven rebounds, Bryce Alford had 13 points and Jonah Bolden had 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Golden Eagles gave up the first four points of the game and never led, but stayed within 15-12 after a basket by
Geoffrey Frid and within 19-14 after a basket by Munzon. UCLA went on a run to open up a 16-point lead at 30-14 before back-to-back 3-pointers by Hitchman and Munzon, a jumper by
Collin Johnson and another 3-pointer by Hitchman pulled the Golden Eagles to within seven points, 32-25, with 4:23 remaining in the half. UCLA, though, closed the half with a 10-2 run to open up a 42-27 lead at halftime.
UCLA scored the first 11 points of the second half and kept a comfortable advantage the rest of the way.
Andre McPhail had a team-high five rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while
Bobby Miles led the team with four assists. Zaid had two of the Golden Eagles' five steals.
Cal State LA will play its second exhibition game against an NCAA Division I team on Thursday at Cal State Northridge.