UCLA @ Chaminade preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2011 ) UCLA 92, Chaminade 60

UCLA looks to end a two-game skid Tuesday when the Bruins face Division II Chaminade in the consolation bracket of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii. The Bruins opened with four wins under new coach Mick Cronin but have struggled defensively in back-to-back losses to Hofstra and BYU.

Sophomore guard Jules Bernard recorded 16 points and six rebounds in Monday’s 78-63 loss to BYU, which shot 62 percent from the field and 9-of-18 from 3-point range. The Bruins had allowed an average of 60.3 points during their season-opening four-game winning streak before losing 88-78 to Hofstra, and many of the same defensive errors appeared in the loss to BYU. Cronin kept his team in the locker room for an extended period following the first-round loss and surely wasn’t pleased after the Cougars used a 27-6 run to secure the victory. “We couldn’t finish the game,” Cronin told reporters. “We're a young team, trying to figure it out, find a way. And BYU had a lot to do with that.”

TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT UCLA (4-2): Sophomore forward Cody Riley had 12 points and six boards Monday while freshman point guard Tyger Campbell bounced back from a scoreless outing against Hofstra with 11 points in 22 minutes. Junior guard Chris Smith entered the contest ranked second on the team in scoring (14.8 points per game) but was held to four points on 1-of-6 shooting. Senior guard Prince Ali added 10 points and four rebounds but the Bruins were unable to slow down BYU guards Jake Toolson and TJ Haws, who scored a combined 35 points.

ABOUT CHAMINADE (2-1): The Silverswords opened tournament play with a 93-63 loss to No. 5 Kansas, which shot 55.1 percent from the field and 12-of-29 from 3-point range. Seniors Andre Arissol and Tyler Cartaino scored a combined 35 points to lead Chaminade, which was picked to finish third in the Pacific West Conference preseason coaches poll and has only two players listed at 6-7 or taller. “When you play really good teams like (Kansas) it takes a miracle,” coach Eric Bovaird told reporters. “The miracle wasn't tonight. Maybe it will be a little bit later.”

TIP-INS

1. The winner faces Georgia or Michigan State in Wednesday’s fifth-place game.

2. Bruins sophomore forward Jalen Hill leads the team in scoring (14 points per game) and rebounds (7.8).

3. UCLA is 57-8 when leading at halftime since the start of the 2016-17 season.

PREDICTION: UCLA 82, Chaminade 63