This is not a typo: UCLA defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 69 points. The Bruins obliterated the Golden Lions, 106-37, at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday to improve to 3-0.
The game was practically over in the first eight minutes, as UCLA went on a 30-4 run. The No. 9 Bruins went into halftime with a massive lead, 51-9. From there, everything was mere formality.
According to ESPN's Jeff Borzello, UCLA's 69-point victory was the largest in program history. The 37 points allowed were its fewest since it crushed Mississippi Valley State, 70-29, in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. At that time, the Bruins featured Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Darren Collison, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. They lost to Memphis in the Final Four.
The Bruins were merciless against the Golden Lions, who fell to 0-3, limiting them to 27% shooting from the field, including 2-of-20 from long range. UCLA scored 45 points off Arkansas Pine-Bluff's 30 turnovers.
The Bruins had 29 assists and 19 steals and dominated the fast-break points, 22-1.
Six players scored in double digits for UCLA, led by Nikola Kusturica with 17 points on top of three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Jaylen Petty had 16 points, three assists, and three steals, while Eric Dailey Jr. added 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Macaleab Rich was the lone player to score in double digits for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, tallying 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting.
UCLA's bench outscored the Golden Lions, 43-37.
The Bruins were coming off another blowout win, as they trampled North Florida, 114-63, in their home opener on Friday.
They will face Long Beach State on Monday.