Victory over Silute proves freshmen pivotal to game
By Daily Bruin Staff
Nov. 13, 1997 9:00 p.m.
Friday, November 14, 1997
Victory over Silute proves freshmen pivotal to game
M. BASKETBALL:
Veterans, newcomers show team is not one-dimensionalBy
Emmanuelle Ejercito
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Welcome, class of 2001.
The UCLA men’s basketball team played its first game Thursday
night in an exhibition matchup against Silute of Lithuania.
The game was also a first for the six Bruin freshmen, who made
pivotal contributions to UCLA’s 92-80 victory over Silute.
"(Baron Davis) was hyped up," UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said.
"He kept hugging J.R. (Henderson) saying, ‘I love you, man. I love
you.’
"J.R. told me, ‘Will you calm him down? He keeps hugging
me.’"
Davis calmed down enough to endear himself to the crowd of 5,991
at Pauley Pavilion.
Though Davis’ playing time was limited to only 18 minutes due to
foul trouble, the freshman guard scored 12 points, dished out six
assists, had five steals and even blocked a shot.
"I had a lot of fun tonight," Davis said. "It was my first
college game so I was real nervous, I’m kind of glad it’s over
with."
Freshman Earl Watson played a solid 32 minutes. The 6-foot guard
scored three points and tallied four assists.
Meanwhile, freshman forward Billy Knight went five for eight
from three-point country on his way to scoring 17 points. Three of
Knight’s shots from beyond the arch came when Silute closed the
lead to one in the beginning of the second half. His shots sparked
a 19-2 Bruin run that would seal the game.
Freshman Rico Hines added seven points and five assists in his
15 minutes of play.
"(The freshmen) have been a pleasant surprise," Lavin said.
"Every player in that freshman class brings something to help this
team win. And that’s positive, especially with Kris (Johnson) and
Jelani (McCoy) indefinitely suspended."
But the freshman weren’t the only players on the floor. The two
veteran seniors Henderson and Toby Bailey also made their presence
known.
Henderson scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed team-leading
nine rebounds, while Bailey racked up 19 points and snatched five
steals.
"Our freshmen stepped it up, our team stepped it up," Bailey
said. "It just proves we’re not a one-dimensional team with just me
and J.R."
