Tue Nov 05 06:50:00 UTC 2024: ## UCLA Crushes Rider in Season Opener, Bilodeau Leads the Way
**LOS ANGELES** – The 22nd-ranked UCLA Bruins opened their season with a resounding 85-50 victory over the Rider Broncs on Monday night. Tyler Bilodeau, a transfer from Oregon State, led the Bruins with 18 points in his UCLA debut.
Bilodeau’s strong performance was complemented by Dylan Andrews’ 14 points and six assists, and Kobe Johnson’s 12 points and eight rebounds. Johnson also transferred to UCLA this year, coming from crosstown rival USC.
The Bruins dominated the game from start to finish, outscoring Rider in every quarter and building a lead that reached as high as 35 points. Bilodeau was particularly hot in the second half, scoring 10 points in the first five minutes to extend UCLA’s lead to 53-32.
Rider’s T.J. Weeks Jr. led the Broncs with 15 points, but the Bruins’ superior talent and depth proved too much for the visitors to handle.
UCLA’s roster features nine new players, including six transfers and three freshmen. All but two of these newcomers scored in the game, highlighting the team’s depth and potential. Eric Dailey Jr., another transfer from Oklahoma State, had a strong first half, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds.
The Bruins’ 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara from Spain went head-to-head with Rider’s 7-2 Alaaeddine Boutayeb from Morocco. Boutayeb finished with 14 points, while Mara contributed five points and two rebounds.
UCLA will face New Mexico in a neutral-court game in Las Vegas on Friday, while Rider will travel to San Diego for their second consecutive road game.
First Piper 