UCLA’s skid reaches 4 games after loss to Rutgers

UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau holds the ball as Rutgers center Lathan Sommerville defends during the first half on Monday night in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau holds the ball as Rutgers center Lathan Sommerville defends during the first half on Monday night in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The UCLA men’s basketball team is still trying to find its footing in the Big Ten Conference.

Freshman Ace Bailey totaled 20 points and 10 rebounds and Rutgers beat UCLA, 75-68, on Monday night, ending the Scarlet Knights’ three-game losing streak by extending the Bruins’ skid to four.

Rutgers (9-8 overall, 2-4 Big Ten Conference) had an opportunity to extend its lead to double digits late when Lathan Sommerville committed a turnover, and UCLA (11-6, 2-4) capitalized with an 8-0 run. Kobe Johnson capped that surge with a 3-pointer that pulled the Bruins to within 63-62 with 2:07 left, but that turned out to be UCLA’s last gasp.

Rutgers quickly responded when Bailey connected on a 3-pointer the very next possession, as the Knights outscored the Bruins 12-6 the rest of the way.

Bailey shot 7 for 13 from the field and made all five of his free throws for Rutgers. He also blocked three shots on the way to his fifth double-double of the season.

Dylan Harper hit two 3-pointers and scored 18 for the Scarlet Knights despite foul trouble. Jeremiah Williams had 11 points off the bench, with no two bigger than his double-clutch layup with 51 seconds remaining. He drove to the basket and used the rim to shield his attempt, swooping from one side to the other to finish the show and put the game away.

Eric Dailey Jr. and reserve Sebastian Mack scored 16 apiece to lead UCLA, which was ranked as high as 15th before its slide. Kobe Johnson scored 13, but had seven of his points in the game’s opening minutes before getting into foul trouble. He was limited until the closing stretch.

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Mack gave the Bruins a boost on both offense and defense, particularly with leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau struggling. Bilodeau was held to six points and shot 0 for 7 from the floor.

Lazar Stefanovic hit a 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 run for UCLA to begin the game. Rutgers evened the score at 16 on a layup by Williams. Mack answered with a layup and the Bruins had a 33-30 lead at halftime.

Bailey tipped in a missed shot for Rutgers to begin the second half and Harper followed with back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Scarlet Knights their first lead. UCLA battled back to tie it a 41 on a basket by Dailey. Tyson Acuff answered with a 3-pointer and Bailey hit a jumper to give the Scarlet Knights a 46-41 lead with 14:46 remaining.

Rutgers never trailed over the final 19:04.

The two schools played three previous times between 1976-81 with UCLA winning twice. The Bruins had never played on Rutgers’ home floor.

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UCLA will host Iowa on Friday at 6 p.m.

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