LEXINGTON, Ky. — The UCLA men’s basketball team kicked off the NCAA Tournament by showing off its depth. Skyy Clark and Eric Dailey Jr. each scored 14 points and seventh-seeded UCLA routed 10th-seeded Utah State, 72-47, on Thursday night to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the f ourth time in five seasons. Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 reserve center, shook off an injury scare and added 10 points for Coach Mick Cronin’s Bruins (23-10), who will face second-seeded Tennessee on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. PT in the Midwest Region as they seek their fourth Sweet 16 appearance in the past five editions of March Madness. The Volunteers also cruised to an easy win, 77-62 over Wofford. UCLA – which was coming off a blowout loss to Wisconsin in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal – broke this game open by holding its Mountain West Conference opponent to just two free throws during a 12-2 run for a 39-27 halftime advantage. Then the Bruins had a 17-7 surge early in the second half to build a 20-point lead. The Bruins finished at 48% from the field after shooting 55% in the first half. They shot 10 for 24 from 3-point range, eight of 10 players scored, and they had 22 assists on 26 baskets. “The guys just did a great job,” Cronin said. “And it helped us to have three days because against a matchup zone defense you have to score on passing and cutting. You can’t dribble your way into it. They’re going to steal the ball. So guys just did a great job.” Dylan Andrews had eight points and eight assists, while Kobe Johnson also scored eight for the Bruins. UCLA also turned in one of its best defensive efforts of the season. “Defensive effort was awesome,” Cronin said. “Their spirit and their mind to be a great defensive team tonight just took Utah State out of their comfort zone. And uncomfortable teams shoot a low percentage.” Indeed. Utah State (26-8) shot 30% while committing 11 turnovers, leading to 20 UCLA points. The Aggies outscored UCLA 17-10 in second-chance points, 28-22 in the paint and 16-9 on the fast break, but none of that could offset their 4-of-31 shooting from 3-point range. “I thought in the first half, they made shots,” Calhoun said. “So much this time of year is about shot-making, right? And when you don’t make shots, it affects your defense.” Mason Falslev scored 17 points and Deyton Albury had 12 for Utah State, which reached its third consecutive NCAA Tournament – this time under Jarrod Calhoun, the Aggies’ third coach in that span. UCLA guard Sebastian Mack left midway through the second half with what Cronin said was a groin injury. The Bruins were safely ahead by then but stayed aggressive to put away an offense that ranked 14th in the country in shooting at nearly 49%. “If you just let them come back in the game, they will,” said Clark, who shot 4 for 7 from 3-point range when not aiding the defensive effort. “And so just doing everything we could to try to get them out of rhythm and not let them run their offense, that was the key.” The Bruins won for the 12th time in 16 games and edged Utah State 38-35 on the glass, including a 29-19 advantage on the defensive end. Cronin wasn’t entirely happy with his team’s effort but added, “We’ve been preparing all year to play Saturday.” Related Articles College Sports | Alexander: Aday Mara leads the way for UCLA in NCAA Tournament win College Sports | NCAA Tournament: UCLA women brimming with accolades and confidence College Sports | Alexander: Here’s to brackets, busted and otherwise College Sports | Defensive players shine at UCLA NFL Pro Day; Schwesinger to hold separate workout College Sports | Alexander: What we learned, deduced and guessed on NCAA Selection Sunday ...read more read less