BEIJING – The UCLA men's basketball team defeated Tsinghua University, 116-68, in an exhibition game Saturday evening to kick off USA-China University Sport and Culture Week during the Bruins' weeklong goodwill tour in China.
David Wear recorded game-highs with 20 points and 15 rebounds, connecting on 9 of 10 shots from the field. Travis Wear and Norman Powell each finished with 19 points in the exhibition victory. Powell nailed 7 of 8 shots, including 3 of 4 three-point baskets.
"A lot of guys stood out offensively, and I was really pleased with how we shared the ball," head coach Ben Howland said. "I thought the Wears played well, and I thought that Josh [Smith] did really well when he was in there and was a very difficult matchup for them."
In all, the Bruins finished with six players scoring in double figures. Joshua Smith recorded 18 points on 9 of 10 shooting from the field, while Tyler Lamb collected 14 points, hitting 2 of 4 three-point shots. Kyle Anderson registered 11 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in his first action wearing a UCLA uniform.
UCLA led Tsinghua from start to finish, claiming an early 8-0 cushion in the first quarter. Playing with international rules and using four 10-minute quarters, the Bruins claimed a 38-18 cushion after the opening quarter. Tyler Lamb scored nine of his 14 points in the first period, scoring UCLA's first four points in the game.
The Bruins finished the game by connecting on 50 of 77 shots from the field, including five of 11 three-point baskets. UCLA went 11-for-14 from the free throw line, while Tsinghua made just 16 of 35 free throw attempts in the Bruins' first of three exhibition games over a four-day span in China.
Tsinghua was led by Binbin Xie's nine points, all coming on three-point shots in the second half.
Lamb led UCLA with 10 assists and two blocks and also grabbed four rebounds. Smith netted 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Jordan Adams scored eight points on 4 of 14 shooting and logged a game-high five steals in his first action at the college level.
The Bruins dished 30 assists and finished with just five turnovers. UCLA's defense held Tsinghua to a 37.5 percent shooting percentage (19 of 51 shots). Tsinghua was 7-for-12 from three-point range, sinking each of its three-point shots in the second half.
UCLA has two exhibition contests remaining during the team's weeklong stay in China. The Bruins will face Shanghai Jiao Tong University on Monday before taking on the Shanghai Sharks (professional team in the Chinese Basketball Association) on Tuesday night.
