UCLA routes Iowa to snap losing streak

LOS ANGELES -- It was all business for the UCLA Bruins on Friday night as they blew out the Iowa Hawkeyes 94-70 at the Pauley Pavilion to snap their four-game losing streak and get back on track.

Eric Dailey Jr., (23 points), Tyler Bilodeau (18 points) and Dylan Andrews (13 points) led the way in the scoring department for the Bruins as they quickly opened up the early lead. UCLA started off an electrifying 9-9 from the field to open things up, quickly setting the tone for the rest of the contest.

On the defensive side, things were equally as sharp for the Bruins. They forced the Hawkeyes into 12 first-half turnovers, already eclipsing their total in their previous game against the USC Trojans.

The Hawkeyes finished the night shooting a respectable 44.7% overall and 37.5% from three-point range, but their 15 total turnovers prevented them from ever finding a consistent offensive groove. It was their most turnovers since November 22, when they turned the ball over 16 times against Utah State.

UCLA went into the locker room at halftime with a 57-24 lead. It was their most points in a single half of basketball since 2016.

The second half was no different for the Bruins as they continued to keep their feet on the gas. It was Dailey Jr. who led the charge over the final 20 minutes, pouring in 13 second-half points as he finished the night leading the team in scoring.

It was a new career-high in points for the sophomore from Florida, who shot 8-12 from the field as he added 4 assists and 2 rebounds. Dailey Jr. has now scored double digits in 3 of his last four games as he continues to be a catalyst on the offensive end.

Following the game, he spoke about stepping up as the vocal leader on the team throughout the losing streak and ultimately taking care of business on Friday night. 

"I just feel like our mindset shifted," he said. "I know we hit a wall as a team. I was really just encouraging guys to be confident in themselves. It looks like it worked, so I'm going to keep doing that."

The Bruins also saw solid performances off the bench from William Kyle III and Sebastian Mack, who added 12 and 7 points respectively. 

UCLA rolled to the finish line, securing the 24-point win as they improved to 12-6 on the season and 3-4 in Big Ten Conference play. As for Iowa, they dropped to 12-6 overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten.

Iowa still leads the all-time series between the two squads 4-5 through nine total meetings. The last battle between the Bruins and Hawkeyes to take place at UCLA before Friday's matchup was back on December 18, 1982, in a 75-66 Bruin victory.

The Bruins will be back at it again on Tuesday afternoon as they welcome the Wisconsin Badgers to town. Wisconsin (14-3 overall) are winners of their last six games in a row and are currently ranked number 24 in the country.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.