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Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against Rip Economou #0 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins drives rot the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins drives rot the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins is fouled drive to the basket by Darrion Trammell #12 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins controls the ball against Riley Grigsby #11 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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UCLA’s Tyger Campbell drives to the basket during Thursday night’s game against Seattle at Pauley Pavilion. Campbell scored a team-high 17 points in a 78-52 win. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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UCLA Bruins are announced prior to a NCAA basketball game against the Seattle Redhawks at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins loses the ball against Jared Pearre #25 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Cody Riley #2 of the UCLA Bruins shoots over Kobe Williamson #33 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins drives rot the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jalen Hill #24 of the UCLA Bruins slam dunks against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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UCLA Bruins are announced prior to a NCAA basketball game against the Seattle Redhawks at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Cody Riley #2 of the UCLA Bruins loses the ball against Rip Economou #0 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jaylen Clark #0 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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UCLA Bruins bench loos on against the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against Rip Economou #0 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jaylen Clark #0 of the UCLA Bruins fights for the loose ball against Kobe Williamson #33 of the Seattle Redhawks in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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A Vin Scully and Dave Roberts fan photo lines the seats along with other fans in the second half of a NCAA basketball game between the UCLA Bruins and the Seattle Redhawks at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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David Singleton #34 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against Daron Henson #23 of the Seattle Redhawks in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. UCLA Bruins won 78-52. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins during a time out against the Seattle Redhawks in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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UCLA Bruins wearing masks due to the Coronavirus Pandemic looks on against the Seattle Redhawks in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Jim Hayford of the Seattle Redhawks looks on against the UCLA Bruins in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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A tribute to former UCLA Bruins ands Olympian Rafer Johnson who passed away earlier in the week prior to a NCAA basketball game between the UCLA Bruins and the Seattle Redhawks at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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UCLA Bruins take on Seattle Redhawks in an empty area due to the Coronavirus Pandemic during a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Kenneth Nwuba #14 of the UCLA Bruins waits to get into the game against the Seattle Redhawks in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Thursday, December 3, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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LOS ANGELES — When the public address announcer was finished introducing the Seattle University starting lineup to a mostly empty Pauley Pavilion on Thursday night, the bright lights abruptly shut off and the jumbotron began to play a pre-game hype video displaying flashy UCLA dunks and baskets.
A presentation that’s supposed to energize a crowd – potentially of 13,000 – was enjoyed by a mere few dozen in what was an otherwise empty arena as UCLA coasted to a 78-52 victory in its delayed home opener.
“It was weird. It felt like a ghost town,” center Jalen Hill said of the fan-less atmosphere created by the COVID-19 protocols. “We miss the Den (student section) a lot. We were trying to do their job on the bench, but it’s just really hard.”
It was the first game in six days for the Bruins (2-1), who had Monday’s scheduled home opener against Long Beach State postponed for coronavirus-related reasons.
The Bruins maintained their perfect record all-time against Seattle, moving to 5-0 in the series with the help of Tyger Campbell’s team-high 17 points, including 15 in the first half. Jules Bernard added 16 points with three 3-pointers. The last time the two teams met was in 1977.
Campbell played well despite sitting out of practice on Wednesday with minor knee swelling. It’s something the training staff keeps an eye on after Campbell had ACL surgery on his left knee two years ago.
“It’s nothing serious, it was more of a maintenance thing,” Campbell said of sitting out the practice.
His 17 points and six assists came in 27 minutes of play.
“Tyger is a gamer,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “He had a gutty performance tonight. He did a great job reading how (Seattle) was defending him and was able to get to the lane or shoot when he needed to.”
.@UCLAMBB closed out the 1st half on a 14-0 run.
Catch the 2nd half now on us.
Pac-12 Network
https://t.co/XWoT3wchcX pic.twitter.com/67xz9oCyCt
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 4, 2020
UCLA’s start was just as eerie as the game’s feel (especially with the faint, recorded crowd noise). The Bruins started the game 0 for 5 from the free-throw line, had sloppy turnovers and allowed easy layups. Seattle held a narrow, but nerve-wracking lead over UCLA for more than two minutes in the middle of the opening half. Seattle (3-2) started the game 8 for 13 from the field, making a trio of 3-point baskets before things started turning around for the Bruins.
A Jules Bernard corner 3-pointer in front of the Seattle bench jumpstarted what eventually turned into a 14-0 run to end the half, which gave the Bruins a 43-29 lead at halftime. The surge continued in the second half as six points from Chris Smith helped the Bruins open with an 11-2 run, part of a 25-2 run going back to the three-minute mark in the first half. UCLA had a 54-31 lead with 13 minutes left after a Jaylen Clark 3-pointer. At that point, the rout was on.
“Seattle made three 3s at the beginning of the game and never made another one the rest of the game,” Cronin said.
Cronin was right. Seattle finished the game 3 for 23 from beyond the arc.
“I think our athletics and size had a lot to do with that, we wore them down,” Cronin added.
Clark notched his first collegiate basket in the first half when he soared down the lane for an acrobatic finish. He later drew a tough-nosed jump ball, a play Cronin was thrilled about.
Jaylen Clark (@jayl7en) fights his way through traffic for his first career basket.
UCLA leads 29-27 with 4:57 left in the first half.
: https://t.co/kVGHeoB8QA#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/9PNx9pFlXr
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) December 4, 2020
“Jaylen’s energy and attitude is why I wanted him in the UCLA program,” Cronin said. “His mind is on defensive rebounds and taking the ball away from people.”
Cronin has been demanding his team perform better defensively after its first two games. Holding Seattle to 52 points and just 23 in the second half is an improvement compared to the 73 the Bruins allowed against San Diego State and the 98 (in triple OT) against Pepperdine. After the Redhawks’ hot start, which had them leading 25-24 with 6:12 left in the first half, Seattle scored just 27 points the rest of the game.
After the abysmal start at the free-throw line, UCLA finished the half 11 for 17 from the line and shot an impressive 61% from the field. Campbell was a perfect 8 for 8 from the charity stripe. The Bruins completed the game 16 for 24 at the line with a 55% mark from the field.
Hill made his season debut after missing the first two games with right knee tendinitis. His first touch of the game, he drew a shooting foul but missed both free throws. He made up for it quickly on his second touch with a catch and dunk on a pass from Bernard.
Welcome back, Jalen Hill (@KingJ_Hill)!
The Bruins trail by two with 11:11 remaining in the first half.
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) December 4, 2020
“He’s a very effective rebounder and our only shot blocker so that helped a ton,” Cronin said.
Hill tallied 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes, but was 3 for 7 from the free-throw line.
“It felt amazing to be out there again,” Hill said. “But there’s no excuses – I missed too many free throws, have to better.”UCLA will host Cal (2-1) on Sunday at 5 p.m. as the team opens an expanded Pac-12 schedule.
HONORING RAFER
There was a moment of silence for Rafer Johnson, the 1960 Olympic decathlon champion who died Wednesday at 86. He starred on the track and field team, was student body president and started for one season under basketball coach John Wooden during his UCLA career.
TWEAKING PAULEY
UCLA made some tweaks inside Pauley Pavilion for the first men’s game of the season. Large blue-and-white advertising banners now cover all the seats in the lower bowl except for a section where the cardboard cutouts have been relocated behind one of the baskets. A banner promoting six sponsors runs the length of the court behind the team benches. Each bench is comprised of three rows of socially distanced chairs separated by a section of game staff seated at tables.
News services contributed to this story.
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