UCLA shot 70.4 percent (19-27) from the floor in the first half and 64.3 percent (18-28) in the second half as the Bruins led from start to finish. Conversely, Sacramento State shot just 31.3 percent (21-67) from the field, the team’s second-lowest percentage of the season. The Hornets made just one of their first 12 field goal attempts and had five shots blocked over that span, as the team never recovered from the slow start.

A total of four UCLA players scored in double figures, comprised of Afflalo (9-of-11 shooting from the field), Jordan Farmar (15 points, nine assists), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Alfred Aboya (12 points, 6-of-7 shooting). In addition, the Bruins outrebounded the Hornets, 43-25. Sacramento State had nine steals and forced UCLA into 21 turnovers, but could not overcome the Bruins’ hot shooting.

Sacramento State was led by senior Jason Harris’ 16 points as the senior posted double-figure points for the 10th-straight game. Freshman Loren Leath added 11 points and a pair of three-pointers. Of the Hornets’ 25 rebounds, 18 came on the offensive glass and just seven were recorded on the defensive end.

The only Hornet to shoot at least 50.0 percent from the field was senior Chris Lange (1-for-2 from the floor). Harris was 6-of-13 from the field and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe. Junior Alex Bausley (3-of-7 shooting) added nine points, two assists and a steal. Harris, Zane Beekman and Justin Williams each had three rebounds to lead the team. Senior DaShawn Freeman added seven points, three assists and three steals.

Sacramento State lost for just the third time in its last 10 games while dropping to 8-5. The Hornets, who were playing their second nationally ranked opponent this season (82-74 loss at No. 22 Nevada on Nov. 19), will play just one more non-conference tune-up (Dec. 29 at home against Denver) before venturing into Big Sky Conference play on Jan. 5 against Portland State.

UCLA won its seventh game in a row and improved to 10-1 overall and 7-0 at home. The Bruins’ 10-1 record is their best after 11 games since the 1994-95 squad was also 10-1. That UCLA team eventually won the national title.

Sacramento State’s 8-5 record is still the team’s best mark since the 1988-89 season and the best start in the team’s Div. I era (1991-pres.). The Hornets fell to 1-26 all-time against the Pacific-10 Conference, with the team’s lone victory coming over Washington State during the 1953-54 season.

The Hornets, who had not lost a game by more than nine points prior to tonight, dropped to 4-5 away from home. Sacramento State has played just four times at home through its first 13 games of the season, but will embark upon a season-long three-game homestand beginning with Denver on Jan. 5.

UCLA jumped out to a quick 18-2 lead during the first 5:52 of the game as Sacramento State converted on just one of its first 12 field-goal attempts. Five of those attempts were blocked by UCLA defenders during the span as UCLA finished the game with eight blocked shots.

However, the Hornets used a 10-2 run (capped by a Leath field goal and free throw) to draw back within eight points (20-12) with 12:01 to play. The Bruins then went on a 16-5 run to open up a first-half high 19-point lead at 36-17 with 5:31 remaining. Bausley scored six of the Hornets’ final 11 points of the half, and UCLA went into the break with a 42-28 lead.

The Bruins opened the second half on a 12-2 run and never led by anything less than 20 points the rest of the night. UCLA outscored the Hornets, 42-28, in the first half and 44-28 in the second half.

When the Hornets face Denver, it will mark the second team this season the Hornets have faced a team that reached last year’s NIT. Sacramento State defeated the other NIT opponent (San Francisco) earlier this year at War Memorial Gym. Including UCLA, Sacramento State will also play three teams that reached last season’s NCAA Tournament (the others being Nevada and Montana).