Donovan Dent, UCLA put it all together to defeat Arizona State

LOS ANGELES — The UCLA men’s basketball team has had a wonky start to the season. It remained that way on Wednesday night, in a positive way. Mick Cronin-coached teams tend to prioritize defense, but offense has come much easier for this group.

On Wednesday, that manifested itself in the Bruins (8-3) making a season-high 14 3-point shots. Point guard Donovan Dent showcased his dynamism, scoring 20 points to lead UCLA to its season-best point total in a 90-77 nonconference victory over Arizona State (9-3).

The Bruins’ lead reached 16 points early in the second half. When the Sun Devils surged and cut the margin to two-possessions, Jamar Brown and Skyy Clark knocked down crucial 3-pointers to restore a double-digit advantage.

Clark erupted for 18 points on six 3-pointers, tying his season-high from behind the arc. Each one came in the flow of the offense. Late in the game, he capped a highlight play with a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer off an ankle-breaking dribble and swift dish from Dent.

Dent’s passing has been masterful as he’s averaging a career-high in assists per game, but on Wednesday, he created for himself and looked as confident as he has all season doing so. He got downhill with ease and displayed an array of nifty finishes at the rim.

In the first half, he meandered around ASU’s defense, driving for an and-one layup. He banked in a floater, while drawing another and-one. He drove for a scoop layup, put back his own miss for another basket and hung in the air for a double-clutch finish. Just before the end of the half, he popped open on a Spain pick-and-roll action and Clark found him for his first 3-point basket since Nov. 3.

Dent’s scoring punch continued in the second half. He kissed a floater off the top of the backboard and tickled home another off the back of the rim.

Dent and Clark made up for a slow start from UCLA’s leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau, who made just one of his first eight shots. But he finished the game with a trio of makes to extend his streak of double-digit attempts to four games with 18 points.

UCLA remained in control for the majority of the game, apart from a stretch midway through the second half.

The Sun Devils intensified their full-court press, forcing the Bruins into rushed offensive possessions. On offense, they attacked the rim for easy finishes or trips to the free-throw line. They converted 25 of their 26 free throws.

Guard Anthony Johnson attacked the paint for a pair of layups, taking advantage of Xavier Booker, who was clearly hampered by a slight ankle injury.

Brandon Williams entered the game for Booker and made an impact. He blocked Andrija Grbovic’s layup attempt off the backboard, sparking a transition opportunity that resulted in a Clark 3-pointer that increased the lead back to 11.

While Booker and Steven Jamerson were solid in helpside defense, Williams was UCLA’s best shot-blocker. His production in that facet has increased his playing time.

Anthony Johnson hit all 14 of his foul shots and finished with 20 points to pace the Sun Devils, whose efficiency from the free-throw line kept them in the game. That masked a game that was certainly UCLA’s best performance on both sides.

More to come on this story.