Tyler Bilodeau's big game can't save UCLA from loss to New Mexico

HENDERSON, Nevada – Tyler Bilodeau rose for a three-pointer that fell through the net while being thrown onto the court.

The UCLA forward and his team were on the verge of elimination midway through the second half in the first test of the season. If the Bruins wanted to bounce back from a double-digit deficit, they had to start here.

Bilodeau stepped to the free throw line and could have made a four-point play. He missed it. He grabbed the rebound and went back for the putback. That was also wrong.

Bilodeau landed facedown on the court, slammed both hands on the hardwood and let out a profanity.

It was a sequence that symbolized a night of frustration for the Bruins.

No. 22 UCLA wasn't able to get much of anything it wanted and faltered across the board in a 72-64 loss to New Mexico on Friday night at the Las Vegas Hoopfest at Lee's Family Forum.

Aside from Bilodeau, who was a strong offensive player with 23 points on 8-for-20 shooting and 15 rebounds, the sloppy Bruins failed to score baskets reliably.

UCLA (1-1) made just 36.4% of shots while New Mexico hit 51%, exacerbating its lack of touches with 21 turnovers and particularly cold long-distance shooting where the Bruins made just five of 23 shots (21.7). %).

“It's hard to beat Division II teams with 21 turnovers,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said.

What disappointed Cronin most was that his players didn't heed his warning that they would have to match the grit of a veteran team that made the NCAA Tournament last season and would try to make a statement against the Bruins.

“The kids grew up with all the great players at UCLA and they come to play and we weren’t ready for their intensity,” Cronin said. “At the end of the day, that’s what they pay me for. We tried but they didn't listen, they didn't listen and they learned the hard way. But ultimately I don’t blame them, I blame the coaching staff – we have to make sure they’re ready.”

The Bruins finally showed some toughness and made one last attempt after two free throws from Bilodeau put them up 68-59 with 4:28 left.

New Mexico guard Donovan Dent (2) blocks UCLA guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) while center Nelly Junior Joseph (23) also pressures Dailey on Friday in Henderson, Nevada.

(Ian Maule/Associated Press)

A steal by UCLA guard Skyy Clark resulted in teammate William Kyle III being beaten under the basket. But Kyle missed both free throws, Clark missed a contested layup on UCLA's next possession and appeared to absorb the contact, and New Mexico's Ibrahima Sacko made a layup to extend the Lobos' lead back to double digits.

Guard Donovan Dent finished the game with 17 points and eight assists to lead New Mexico (2-0) while committing an uncharacteristic nine turnovers. The Lobos won in large part by scoring 36 points in the game and making 16 free throws.

Bilodeau didn't get enough offensive support from his fellow starters – or anyone off the bench, for that matter. No other Bruin reached double figures in scoring. UCLA freshman guard Trent Perry made some heads-up plays en route to eight points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, but it wasn't nearly enough.

All trends played out against the Bruins early in the second half. Point guard Dylan Andrews committed his sixth turnover and went to the bench. Forward Eric Dailey Jr. picked up his fourth foul and was sent to the bench with his team trailing by 14 points.

“I think there's just a lack of discipline throughout the team,” Bilodeau said, pointing out that he contributed to the disappointment with three turnovers. “I think we weren't focused on the right things, we just weren't physically and mentally strong enough and that's why we weren't prepared for it.”

UCLA finally slowed New Mexico's Nelly Junior Joseph, but only after he scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half. Joseph took turns scoring against Kyle, Bilodeau, Dailey and Aday Mara, with no defensive help coming to combat the Lobos big man.

A defense that was supposed to be UCLA's strength forced 24 turnovers, but the Bruins generated just 15 points from those turnovers and often gave the ball right back to New Mexico. Andrews and Sebastian Mack combined for nine turnovers.

“Dylan and Sebastian throw the ball away for layups and only give it to them for layups,” Cronin said. “I told them we were better last year when we lacked talent.”

UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) shoots under pressure from New Mexico guard Tru Washington on Friday in Henderson, Nevada.

(Ian Maule/Associated Press)

Cronin imported six transfers as part of another offseason revamp, but it became clear on Friday that this is not a quick fix.

“It’s good to get a game this early, guys,” Cronin said. “For me, in order to be able to assess where we are and what needs to happen, it’s obviously about getting an insight into reality.”

The truth is, UCLA only has one player – Kyle – who played in the NCAA Tournament last season, and that was for South Dakota State. These Bruins need to develop habits of success if they want to achieve similar success.

“We all have to come together and we all have to dig really deep and just figure it out, you know,” said Bilodeau, whose teams finished a combined 16 games under .500 in his two seasons at Oregon State. “None of us want to have years like last year, we’re at UCLA, that’s just unacceptable.”