(East Los Angeles, CA) December 14, 2021 [From The Editor’s Desk]: The PAC-12’s UCLA Bruins, ranked #4 in the country, at the time of this writing, welcomed back to Head Coach Mick Cronin’s starting line-up, its most durable and “complete player,” as many other Division I Coaches, including Marquette’s Head Coach, Shaka Smart, have described Jaime Jaquez, Jr., the student-athlete. 

In their last game, the Bruins were unexpectedly delayed due to their airliner’s mechanical issue, a cracked windshield which delayed their arrival in Milwaukee, WI, for their rematch of last year’s game against the Marquette Golden Eagles. The game time was thus re-scheduled to 6:30 PM.

(Game Recap): The FOX Sports 1 nationally featured and Saturday night “Prime Time” broadcast of this game was a very good sight to see for Bruin, and especially Jaquez, Jr. fans as he put on quite a performance by leading his team to a huge halftime lead at (35-21). The Golden Eagles simply could not match up to the better shooting, defending, and more cautious ball protecting style that showed only a low number of turn-overs. Marquette managed to narrow the wide gap of a (33-10) score, by going on an (11-2) run before the half ended.

(HALFTIME SCORE): UCLA  35  Marquette  21

(2nd HALF): The teams traded baskets to start the half, with Marquette hitting three perimeter shots. UCLA’s Myles Johnson, Johnny Juzang, and Jaime Jaquez, Jr. all answered back for a (44-29) lead with (17:00) left. At (15:28) a Media time-out was taken, (44-31) Bruins. After a Jaquez, Jr. steal and miss, and then a rebound of his own shot, the ball swung out to Jules Bernard who buried a big 3-pointer. That was followed by a Juzang lay-up, (49-30), Bruins. He then hit a deep 3 pointer and it was quickly (52-30) UCLA. It was their 9th out of 18 three pointers in the game. Another Media time-out came with (14:39) left. When play resumed, Jaquez, Jr. scored on a drive underneath basket for a large and overwhelming (54-35) lead.

The rest of the game was a “give & take” type of affair in which the Bruins came away with the clear and deciding advantage. Campbell, Johnson, Juzang, and Jaquez, Jr. once again combined to keep the offensive pressure at a high level that was dominated with good defense and timely steals to keep the Golden Eagles at bay.

For his efforts, Jaquez, Jr. was selected as the current UCLA Student Athlete of The Week.

(FINAL SCORE): UCLA  67  Marquette 56   The Bruins with their (9-1) record are still ranked in the #4 slot of the AP & Coaches national poll.

Bruins Stat-Line: Jaime Jaquez, Jr./24 pts (season high)/12 rebs/2 assists/1 block/1 steal/{double-double}; Johnny Juzang/12 pts/2 assist/3 steals; Tyger Campbell/12 pts/8 assists/2 steals; Myles Johnson/7 pts/8 rebs/2 blks.

(Next Up): Alabama State Hornets, Wednesday, December 15th. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 PM. To watch, go to TV: PAC-12 NETWORKS. To listen, go to RADIO: AM 1150.