LOS ANGELES (AP) - Drew Gordon scored 19 points and UCLA overcame the suspension of starter Nikola Dragovic and upstart Cal State Bakersfield for a 75-64 victory Friday night to avoid a second consecutive loss.
The Bruins (1-1) trailed for all but the opening minute of the first half, falling behind by 11 points, before taking control over the final 20 minutes. They were stunned in double overtime by Cal State Fullerton in their opener Monday, ending a 37-game home winning streak against unranked nonconference opponents.
Michael Roll added 12 points and six assists, and Malcolm Lee, Jerime Anderson and James Keefe, who started in place of Dragovic, scored 10 points each.
Trent Blakley and Stephon Carter had 15 points each and Donovan Bragg 10 for the Roadrunners (1-2), who had never played the Bruins before but showed no nerves in the first half.