UCLA Basketball: Bruins Unpack 5-Game Win Streak

With a narrow 61-60 win over Cal, UCLA basketball is now riding a five-game winning streak. The Bruins have won seven of their last eight and are gaining serious confidence heading into the middle of February and March.

This confidence was reflected in Lazar Stefanovic's postgame comments, with the junior revealing the team's mindset amidst this stretch.

"It really feels like that we can play with anybody, beat anybody," Stefanovic said. "We changed our season, with our physicality, attitude, and effort. It starts every day in practice, and we translated that to the game. We have three home games coming up, so it’s a really important stretch for us to keep this streak going," Stefanovic said. “Winning is fun. Coming into the locker room and having fun with the guys. It just feels good winning.”

Per Lazar Stefanovic via UCLA Communications

Thanks to these wins, the Bruins are 13-11 overall and 8-5 against Pac-12 opponents. With three straight home games upcoming against Colorado, Utah and USC, the Bruins have a strong chance at continuing this stretch.  

Head coach Mick Cronin shared more insight into this improvement from the Bruins, even after a lower-scoring game.

“We’re just trying to take it one day at a time with our preparation," Cronin said. Keep our focus on improving our players, and our team improves. You can improve as a player and not score a lot of points, and that is the problem with basketball today, is people don’t understand that. They think the only way to play well is if you score, everyone has a hidden agenda."

Per Mick Cronin via UCLA Communications

Though the Bruins scored 61 points, this win showed more than improved scoring. UCLA held off Cal's top scorer Jalyon Tyson to 16 points and showed they could maintain their lead, even as Cal came close to a comeback toward of the game. 

It wasn't the easiest win, but one that shows some of the other areas Cal has grown in.