UCLA beats CS Northridge 83-50 in season opener

LOS ANGELES — Lazeric Jones scored 15 points in his Division I debut and UCLA routed Cal State Northridge 83-50 in the teams' season opener Friday night.

Jones, a junior college transfer from Chicago, started at point guard, a job he took away from Jerime Anderson. Jones was 6 of 7 from the floor, hit both of his 3-point attempts and had four assists.

Reeves Nelson added 17 points playing with a strained and Tyler Honeycutt had 16 points and six rebounds for the Bruins, who opened last season with a double-overtime loss to Cal State Fullerton on their way to a 14-17 finish.

Rashaun McLemore was the only Northridge player in double figures with 10 points.

It was the Matadors' worst loss since 2001, when they were beaten 99-65 by Howard. They didn't make their first field goal until Michael Lizarraga — the only deaf player in Division I — hit a jumper six minutes into the game.

Northridge shot 29 percent from the floor and committed 27 turnovers.

The Bruins led by 41 points — their largest lead — with seven minutes remaining. From there, coach Ben Howland cleared his bench. They improved to 7-1 in season openers under him with their biggest win since beating New Mexico State 100-68 last December.

UCLA opened the game on a 15-0 run, with six points from Nelson, five by Jones and four by Malcolm Lee.

The Bruins went on to outscore Northridge 37-9 for its largest lead of the half. They shot 72 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range while holding the Matadors to 28 percent shooting in the half.