Dell’Orso’s 20 points off the bench lifts No. 5 Arizona past No. 15 UCLA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In a game loaded with talent on both sides, it would be Anthony DellOrsos 20 points off the bench to lift the No. 5 Arizona Wildcats (4-0) over the No. 15 UCLA Bruins (3-1), 69-65 in a battle of former Pac-12 rivals Friday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA.
DellOrso provided a major spark from the perimeter going 4-of-7, but a pair of free throw makes with 17 seconds left in regulation gave the Wildcats a two-possession lead and would not look back.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley delivered the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:23 left and finished with 15 points and four rebounds in 35 minutes of play. 13 of Bradleys 15 points came in the final five minutes of play.
Freshman sensation Koa Peat came into Friday nights game with plenty of fanfare, but produced his worst game to date as a collegiate player with seven points, six turnovers and four personal fouls in 21 minutes.
Defense and second chance opportunities aided the Wildcats as they scored 22 off 16 forced Bruin turnovers and won the turnover battle 35-28, with 11 offensive rebounds turning into 12 second chance points.
Junior center Motiejus Krivas chipped in with a near double-double (10 points and eight rebounds) for Arizona.
Tyler Bilodeaus expanded perimeter game was on full display as the forward finished with a team high 19 points, on 3-of-4 from three-point range for the Bruins.
Three other UCLA players finished in double figures in the department highlighted by star player Donovan Dents 11 points and game-high eight assists.
The Bruins look to return to their winning ways on Nov. 18 when the Sacramento State Hornets come calling, while the Wildcats face another stiff test away from the McHale Center as they travel to take on the No. 3 UConn Huskies on Nov. 19.