UCLA leads Drexel 42-31 at halftime

Last Wednesday, UCLA’s first exhibition game against Cal State San Bernardino was delayed by a brief lights malfunction.

While Friday’s 9:06 p.m. tip against Drexel was promptly observed, the Bruins nearly shot the lights out in the first 20 minutes. The Bruins were 12-of-21 from the floor and 5-of-9 from the three-point range, giving them a 42-31 lead over the Dragons at the half.

Freshman guard Zach LaVine sank just one three-point attempt in his first two exhibition games prior to Friday night’s season opener but showed he wasn’t fazed early, deking in front of his defender before draining his first shot from well beyond the arc to give UCLA an early 12-6 lead. He finished the first half with a team-high 11 points.

Redshirt senior forward David Wear also sparked the Bruin offense early on. In his 19 minutes on the floor, Wear was 4-of-6 from the field with a make on his only three-point attempt. He also provided the Bruins with two crucial put-backs on the offensive glass for four of his 10 points.

The Bruin defense in the first half was also noticeably improved from the team’s two exhibition games. The zone formation gave the Bruins a better opportunity to close out Drexel’s shots along the perimeter, and the Dragons shot just 30 percent from the field. Rare breakdowns in the scheme came mostly in the form of perimeter baskets from Drexel senior guard Frantz Massenat, who was 5-of-9 for a game-high 14 points.

The two teams are dead even at 21 in the rebound game at the break.

Compiled by Andrew Erickson, Bruin Sports senior staff.