The key to victory on any given night is already clear to the Bruins’ bench boss, even as conference play is just beginning. “We have to continue to play as hard as we did in that game (against Oregon) and defend, and we’ll have a chance,” said coach Mick Cronin. Read more...

Photo: Freshman guard/forward Brandon Williams dribbles the ball during a game for UCLA men’s basketball. (Brandon Morquecho/Assistant Photo editor)

Coach Mick Cronin said he had concerns about a confidence problem in his team after his team’s recent loss to Maryland.  The coach added that because it lacked a “go-to guy,” UCLA had dug itself into a four-game losing streak.  But in the Bruins’ first Pac-12 game of the season, sophomore forward/center Adem Bona – who contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks while staying out of foul trouble – sought to become that guy.  Snapping a four-game losing streak, UCLA men’s basketball (6-6, 1-0 Pac-12) defeated Oregon State (8-4, 0-1 Pac-12) on Thursday 69-62 in Corvallis in its first Pac-12 game of the season. Read more...

Photo: UCLA men’s basketball sophomore forward/center Adem Bona rises for a layup over Cal State Northridge center Dearon Tucker. In Thursday’s game against Oregon State, Bona scored 13 points while adding three blocks. (Brandon Morquecho/Assistant Photo editor)

The Bruins are heading into conference play with a losing record for the first time in the coach Mick Cronin era. In fact, this is the first time the squad has entered Pac-12 play under .500 in 14 years. Read more...

Photo: UCLA men’s basketball sophomore forward/center Adem Bona guards an Oregon player during last season’s contest between the two teams. The Bruins will face the Ducks in their second game of Pac-12 play on Saturday after opening the conference slate against Oregon State on Thursday. (Jeremy Chen/Daily Bruin senior staff)