LOS ANGELES 26ndash; The No. 9 University of California, Los Angeles men’s basketball team set a program record for margin of victory by defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff 106-37 on November 11, 2026. The Bruins’ 69-point win stands as the largest in school history.
Six UCLA players scored in double figures. Nikola Kusturica led the Bruins with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, additionally contributing three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Jaylen Petty scored 16 points, Azavier Robinson 15, and Eric Dailey Jr. tallied 13 points along with a team-high four steals. Trent Perry recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 11 assists. Joe Philon III added 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
UCLA built an early lead, opening the game on a 13-0 run. The Bruins led 51-9 at halftime, holding their opponent to just nine points, which tied a program record low for points allowed in a half since the 1975-76 season. The team finished with 29 assists, 19 steals, and four blocks, while committing 13 turnovers. Coach Mick Cronin praised his team’s commitment to executing team basketball and their positive attitudes despite mistakes, emphasizing their buy-in to proper fundamentals.
Macaleab Rich was the sole player for Arkansas-Pine Bluff to reach double digits with 11 points. Late in the game, Markell Alston hit a three-pointer that extended UCLA’s lead to 101-31.
The Bruins return home to Pauley Pavilion for contests against Long Beach State on Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. (PT), broadcast on the Big Ten Network, and against Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday, November 18.
CSB Take
The University of California, Los Angeles men’s basketball team’s record-setting victory exhibits their potent combination of offensive balance and defensive pressure under Coach Mick Cronin’s leadership. Their ability to distribute the ball effectively and force turnovers will be crucial as they face more competitive opponents this season. This dominant performance confirms UCLA’s potential to contend at a high level in the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: Original report
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