Men’s basketball transfers put on debut show in exhibition win over Cal State LA
Junior forward Tyler Bilodeau reaches up for a layup. The Oregon State transfer sunk a total of 24 points during his Bruin debut. (Nicolas Greamo/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Men’s Basketball
Cal State LA | 64 |
No. 22 UCLA | 100 |
By Matthew Niiya
Oct. 30, 2024 10:21 p.m.
This post was updated Nov. 1 at 12:02 a.m.
If UCLA fans weren’t familiar with the name Tyler Bilodeau, they are now.
The junior forward paced the squad with 24 points in his debut as No. 22 UCLA men’s basketball defeated Cal State LA 100-64 in its season opener, an exhibition contest at Pauley Pavilion. Junior guard Skyy Clark added 17 points of his own in his first action with the Bruins.
“As you can see, Tyler Bilodeau can score,” said coach Mick Cronin. “He could score at Oregon State, and he could score here.”
Cronin’s starting lineup bore little resemblance to last year’s. Four newcomers made their debuts as starters, including Kobe Johnson.
The senior guard logged just eight points, but the two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive Team player’s impact was most strongly felt in other aspects of the game. The USC transfer tallied six rebounds, five steals and a pair of blocks – all of which led the team against Cal State LA.
Johnson – who averaged 2.3 assists over his 91 games played as a Trojan – led the team with 11 assists as the Bruins logged 32 on 40 made field goals.
“We got a bunch of unselfish guys and a lot of good dudes, great character guys,” Clark said. “It all started there, day one in the summer – and came alive tonight.”
Bilodeau – an Oregon State transfer – averaged 14.3 points per game last season but quickly surpassed that total against Cal State LA. While his opening shot was off the mark, he rebounded his own miss and finished at the rim for the Bruins’ first points of the game. Within the first half, the Kennewick, Washington, local sunk 19 points – followed by another five in the final 20 minutes.
“I was pretty comfortable,” Bilodeau said. “Some great passes from my teammates give me the opportunity to make some moves down there.”
The Bruins forced three turnovers across the Golden Eagles’ first four possessions, kick-starting an 11-0 run that spanned the first 2 1/2 minutes of the game.
But despite UCLA opening a quick 15-point lead, Cal State LA would not be knocked out early. The Golden Eagles mounted a quick 12-2 run to draw them within five points of the Bruins.
They would not, however, draw any closer.
Junior guard Dylan Andrews swished home a pair of 3-pointers to restore a double-digit advantage.
The Bruins shot 9 of 17 from beyond the arc – a welcome sight for Cronin’s squad after struggling last season, in which they shot just 33.2% from deep.
“We shot over 50% from 3 tonight, and most of our shots were great, great shots,” Cronin said.
UCLA headed into the locker room with a 46-30 lead, which would only grow in the second half.
Bilodeau continued his tear once again, opening the scoring with a bucket of his own.
Clark, a Louisville transfer, poured in 13 of his 17 points in the second frame. Sophomore center Aday Mara hammered home four dunks in the closing minutes to build a 42-point advantage – the largest of the night.
The Bruins ultimately kept their lead throughout the match, adding 54 points during the second half.
“Coach Cronin’s done a great job of teaching the ins and outs of the game,” Bilodeau said. “We spent a lot of time playing against each other, so it was good to play someone else.”