UCLA vs. Arizona score, takeaways: No. 7 Bruins hand No. 3 Wildcats their first Pac-12 loss in top-10 showdown

Johnny Juzang and Jules Bernard each had 15 points as UCLA handed Arizona its second loss of the season

Tuesday night's top-10 showdown between Pac-12 powers No. 3 Arizona and No. 7 UCLA began much to the liking of the Wildcats. But it soon transformed into an emphatic statement from the Bruins, who used a stifling defensive effort to secure a 75-59 victory at Pauley Pavilion.

Arizona (16-2, 6-1 Pac-12) led 16-12 early after making 6 of 7 shots to begin the game with a show of the offensive prowess that made it the nation's No. 2 ranked scoring team entering the game. From there, the Bruins offered repeated reminders of how they made a Final Four run last season with many of these same players.

UCLA (14-2, 6-1) outscored Arizona 28-13 to close the first half with a 40-29 lead and never let the Wildcats get within seven points in the second half. Each time Arizona drew within single digits in the second half, the Bruins had an answer within 30 seconds.

In the end, Arizona could never sustain anything offensively as the Wildcats shot just 31% after entering ranked fifth nationally with a team shooting percentage of 50.1% for the season. Jules Bernard and Johnny Juzang led UCLA with 15 points each, while Arizona star wing Bennedict Mathurin led the Wildcats with 16 points on 5-of-22 shooting. Neither star wing -- Juzang or Mathurin -- was efficient following a hot start for each. But Juzang got far more help, and the Bruins got a massive win as a result.

Total team-effort for Bruins

Juzang and Tyger Campbell scored 20 of the Bruins' first 24 points. But it was a total team-effort from there for UCLA as the Bruins flashed their functional depth even amid the absence of key reserve guard Jaylen Clark. With Clark out due to concussion-like symptoms, UCLA used just eight players and got key contributions from each of them. Ultra-athletic freshman Peyton Watson had two blocks and two steals to go with five points off the bench.

Among UCLA's other starters, Jaime Jaquez scored all 10 of his points in the second half, Bernard needed just 11 shots for his 15 points and Cody Riley finished with a season-high 12 points. From the bench.

By contrast, it was a rough night for the Wildcats' role players. Kerr Kriisa and Dalen Terry combined to go 0 for 17 from the floor. Arizona's second-leading scorer Azuolas Tubelis finished with just eight points in only 15 minutes as he played a limited role off the bench due to an ankle injury suffered Thursday against Stanford. If the sophomore big man is fully healthy for the rematch, it could make a big difference for the Wildcats.

Rematch coming

UCLA can enjoy having the tiebreaker on the Wildcats for first place in the Pac-12 standings for now. But the Bruins may have to beat Arizona again a week from Thursday if they want to maintain that distinction. The rematch is just over a week away, and it will be contested at the McKale Center on Feb. 3, where the Wildcats are a perfect 10-0 this season.

For now, though, UCLA has a six-game winning streak over Arizona dating back to the 2018-19 season and predating Cronin's tenure. Arizona's only scheduled game before the rematch is against lowly Arizona State on Saturday. UCLA is scheduled to play Cal and Stanford before the rematch. The Cardinal are a formidable foe, and a stumble there would likely put the Wildcats back in first place entering second game between these two.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:56 am ET · David Cobb]

Unreal

Arizona is shooting just 29% from the field. Just unreal. UCLA is announcing to the country that it is indeed legit. The Bruins have been off the national radar for a while just because they haven't played a high-profile game a in minute. This one will be hard to ignore, though.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:49 am ET · David Cobb]

Bruins answer

UCLA 67, Arizona 53

Justin Kier cut it to 8 for a moment for Arizona, but then David Singleton answered with a big 3, and the lead is quickly back to 14 for UCLA. That's been the story of the night. Every time the Wildcats get within striking distance, the Bruins make a play. With just 5:34 to play, it's going to take something rather miraculous at this point.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:41 am ET · David Cobb]

Fast pace

The frenetic pace is to the liking of Arizona, but UCLA is handling it just fine and has the Wildcats mired in another 1 of 11 stretch with 8:20 to go. 61-50 Bruins, and Arizona's shooting percentage is down to just 30%. Poor showing from one of the nation's best offenses.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:38 am ET · David Cobb]

Help, please

Justin Kier, Kerr Kriisa and Dalen Terry are a combined 1 of 18 from the floor. The supporting cast for Arizona has been MIA for the Wildcats. UCLA, meanwhile, is getting significant contributions from seven guys.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:29 am ET · David Cobb]

Here comes Arizona?

u12 timeout: UCLA 56, Arizona 46

Splash! Ben Mathurin makes his first 3-pointer since the first four minutes of the game, and just like that the Wildcats get within 53-46. Tubelis is on the board with a 3 as well. However, Jaquez answers with a 3 of his own. What a response from the Bruins. Arizona is hanging around, but Ballo turns it over heading to the media timeout. That Jaquez 3 is a killer as he's suddenly come alive in the second half.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:22 am ET · David Cobb]

Turnover fest

u16 timeout (14:09): UCLA 50, Arizona 36
Neither team can hold onto the basketball, especially Arizona. It's become a turnover fest early in the second half. Kerr Kriisa's cold shooting is also continuing for Arizona, and UCLA has the Wildcats on the ropes. Jules Bernard into double figures along with Riley and Juzang. Campbell on the cusp with 9.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:17 am ET · David Cobb]

More misses

Rough start to the second half for Christian Koloko, who misses a couple of really good lucks early on in the half. Mathurin finally gets the Wildcats on the board, but it's a 13-point deficit early in the half.

[Jan 26, 2022 at 12:12 am ET · David Cobb]

Second half keys

Arizona has to get Ben Mathurin going if it's going to have a chance. He hit 2 of his first 3 and had 6 points 3:31 into the game. He missed his next five. With Tubelis limited, the WIldcats need a spark offensively. 

[Jan 25, 2022 at 11:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

Cronin displeased

Half: UCLA 40, Arizona 29

UCLA coach Mick Cronin was displeased with the officiating in the final minute. He told ESPN at the half that just 20 seconds were put on the shot clock after the Bruins corralled a defensive rebound. If it had been set at 30, UCLA could have taken the last shot of the half. Instead, Arizona got another possession and got a bucket out of it. Understand the gripe. However, he's got plenty to be happy about as his team leads by 11.

[Jan 25, 2022 at 11:54 pm ET · David Cobb]

UCLA's mix

It was all Campbell and Juzang early, but the Bruins are getting a lot from Riley, Bernard and Watson as well, and that's helped them build a 13-point lead here late in the half.

[Jan 25, 2022 at 11:46 pm ET · David Cobb]

Arizona in trouble

The Wildcats trail 32-22 at the under-4 timeout (3:51). They are shooting just 33% and have been abysmal offensively since a hot start. Compounding matters is that Peyton Watson just hit his fourth 3-pointer of the season for UCLA. The bouncy freshman wing hasn't been much of a shooter, but the one he just hit puts the Bruins up 10.

[Jan 25, 2022 at 11:44 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tyger Campbell's second

UCLA's point guard picks up his second at the 4:34 mark of the half and leaves the game. On the ensuing possession, Arizona gets its first basket in what feels like an eternity. It's promptly answered with a Peyton Watson 3-pointer for the Bruins.