UCLA vs. CS San Bernardino - Game Preview

By KS Wong
Bruin Basketball Report

Division II CS San Bernardino earned the right to play No.2 UCLA tonight at Pauley Pavilion after the Coyotes upset Weber State in the first round of the CBE Classic.

Guard Lance Ortiz, a 6'1 junior, made four three-pointers in the second half and finished with 16 points to lead San Bernardino over Weber State, a team that made an appearance in the NCAA tournament last season.

The Coyotes used a stifling pressing defense that rattled Weber State into 20 turnovers with 8 of them coming on steals.  San Bernardino prevailed despite being out-rebounded 30-19 in the game.

David Reichel, a 6'8 forward, added 14 points on four 3-pointers, as a team the Coyotes finished shooting 12-27 (44.4%) on three-pointers.

UCLA Head Coach Ben Howland watched San Bernardino play for the first time yesterday night and came away impressed with the intensity the Coyotes played with.

"They press for 40 minutes and they even press on missed shots," Howland said. "This will be good for us."

It will be interesting to watch how the Bruins handle the pressure without injured point guard Darren Collison. Sophomore Russell Westbrook committed six turnovers in the season opener but only had two against Youngstown State last night.

Since CS San Bernardino is in Division II, this game will not count for
UCLA (2-0) in terms of RPI. However, the winner of the game will advance to the
semifinals of CBE Classic on Nov. 19 at Kansas City, Mo. against
Maryland.

Although the Coyotes walked into Pauley Pavilion in awe of college basketball's most famous shrine, they are ready to take on their next Division I foe.

Ortiz was just 10 years old when he last visited Pauley. "I came to watch Baron Davis," he said.

"You can feel the history here." Reichel said but he was  not intimidated by playing here. "We don't back down from anyone."

San Bernardino finished 26-6  and 8-2 in the CCAA conference last season.  They scored 78.8 per game while averaging 39% from three point distance.  The Coyotes forced opponents into 22.5 turnovers a game and limited them to just 68.2 points.

Date: Tonight
Time: 7:30PM PT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: AM 1150

(photo credit: CSSB)