California California/UCLA UCLA Men's College Basketball recap on ESPN

UCLA (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 12 AP) tuned up for its showdown Saturday against the Pac-10's top team by defeating California 79-75 on Thursday night.

The Bruins haven't lost since a 29-point defeat at Cal a month ago. But their eighth consecutive win and a shot at their first conference title since 1996-97 wasn't cinched until Matt Barnes scored the go-ahead basket with 1:03 remaining.

"It's a little bit of payback," said Barnes, who had 13 points and a career-high seven assists.

"We're on a roll, we're very confident and we're not overlooking anyone," he said.

The Bruins (20-6) held on to second place in the Pac-10 at 13-2. At stake Saturday could be the Pac-10 championship. Stanford leads the race with a 14-1 mark; its only loss this season came at home to UCLA.

"The Pac-10 championship is coming through Westwood," said Earl Watson, who had 14 of his 20 points in the second half. "A lot of times people don't steal, they take. I don't want them to take my championship."

Cal had its four-game road winning streak snapped. The Golden Bears (19-8, 10-5) had won 18 of their previous 22.

"We made mental mistakes down the stretch and gave them the momentum," said Sean Lampley, who had 19 points and 13 rebounds. "Until then, we played well. They're a good team, well-coached, and their press is very good."

Barnes' underhanded basket snapped a tie at 74, then Cal was forced to foul Jason Kapono, who made both for a 78-74 lead with 24.8 seconds left.

"I made a cut and Earl made a great pass to find me," Barnes said.

Shantay Legans hit one of two free throws to draw Cal within three. Cal controlled the rebound, but Dennis Gates missed a 3-pointer and Barnes was fouled in grabbing the rebound. Barnes made one of two as UCLA used an 18-8 run to close out the game.

"Our defense the last three minutes was very good," said UCLA coach Steve Lavin, who was noticeably subdued. "We stayed together and found our poise. We managed to grind out a win."

Lavin is on probation by the Pac-10 for the rest of the season because of a tirade against an official Saturday at Oregon State. He clapped his hand over his mouth when the Bruins were called for traveling early in the game.

"Maybe I should go on probation," said Cal coach Ben Braun, whose team was whistled for 25 fouls to UCLA's 17. "I never saw so many fouls called on us before."

The Bruins trailed by seven in the second half. They scored eight straight, including four by Watson, to take their first lead, 69-67, since early in the half.

It became a one-point game until Barnes' basket off an assist by Watson put UCLA ahead for good.

Kapono and Billy Knight added 14 points each. Knight had four of UCLA's eight 3-pointers. Dan Gadzuric had 11 points and 11 rebounds, although UCLA was outrebounded 34-27.

Cal opened the second half with a 13-4 run to take a 50-44 lead as UCLA missed its shots and Gadzuric committed two turnovers.

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