As UCLA’s search for a reliable offense continues, one tandem continues to rise above the rest.
The frontcourt duo of Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey Jr. showed again the ways it can score buckets for the Bruins on Wednesday night.
The first half was a display of perfection for Dailey, who made all five of his shots. The second half belonged to Bilodeau and his ability to bury one jumper after another.
The forwards accounted for nearly half of UCLA’s offense during an 84-70 win over Idaho State at Pauley Pavilion, combining for 36 points while making 15 of 23 shots.
Bilodeau scored 20 points on eight-of-14 shooting, including four of four from three-point range. Dailey added 16 points for the Bruins (4-1) while making seven of nine shots to go with seven rebounds.
Guard Sebastian Mack contributed 21 points off the bench on 15 free throws for the Bruins, who have won three straight games in convincing fashion since their setback against New Mexico earlier this month.
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Amid a stretch of seven straight games against low and mid-ranked opponents, UCLA continues to tinker with lineups before facing bigger challenges that require a more streamlined approach.
“I would like to have a lineup that makes a lot of shots,” coach Mick Cronin said earlier this week, “and doesn’t turn the ball over.”
Since infuriating their coach for a lack of toughness against New Mexico, the Bruins have pleased him with improved competitiveness and defensive intensity.
Next on Cronin’s to-do list? Get better at rebounding, reducing turnovers and making shots.
There was some progress on Wednesday as the Bruins made 27 of 47 shots (a season-high 57.4%) and committed a reasonable 11 turnovers. But they gave up 10 offensive rebounds after putting a lid on the basket in practice this week to emphasize boxing.
UCLA also showed some defensive lapses after holding its three previous opponents to 50 points or fewer at home this season.
Idaho State may not have much name recognition, but the Bengals have a proud history against UCLA. Some might say they ended the Bruins basketball dynasty with a 76-75 upset over a Marques Johnson-led team in the second round of the 1977 NCAA Tournament.
John Wooden was already gone, you say? That’s true, but the Bruins had extended their run of Final Fours the year after he retired in 1975, ending the team’s streak of ten straight trips to college basketball’s biggest stage thanks to a flurry of points and rebounds from Steve Hayes from Idaho State.
Senior forward Isaiah Griffin looked like he could reprise that role as he scored Idaho State’s first 12 points on Wednesday. At that point, the Bengals (2-4) had a 12-10 lead and looked like they had a chance at a breakthrough after single-digit losses to Arizona State, USC and Cal State Fullerton.
But Bilodeau and Dailey countered with back-to-back three-pointers to spark a 10-0 run, and the Bruins were never seriously challenged again. Griffin finished with 16 points to lead Idaho State.
UCLA junior point guard Dylan Andrews, returning from a groin injury that sidelined him for the previous two games, collected three points, four assists and two turnovers in 12 minutes.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
