COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In a commanding performance, Maryland outclassed the No. 22 UCLA Bruins 79-61 on Friday night. The match saw a pivotal moment when UCLA coach Mick Cronin was ejected with just over five minutes left, contributing to the Bruins' ongoing struggles. Ja’Kobi Gillespie led Maryland with 27 points as the Terrapins improved to 12-4 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten.

The game highlighted an increasingly difficult period for UCLA. After two back-to-back losses, including a heavy defeat to Michigan, Cronin's stance on his team shifted dramatically this week. Following the 19-point loss against Michigan, he labeled his team “soft” and “delusional.” In this match, however, his ire was directed towards officials after receiving two quick technical fouls while Maryland was gaining momentum.

Cronin expressed his frustration post-ejection, stating, "I didn’t think we were given any chance to win in the second half," a comment that reflects his concern for his players amidst an uneven officiating situation. As Maryland surged ahead, converting Cronin's technical fouls into a swift six-point advantage, the match quickly turned into a rout.

In the statistics that mattered, UCLA's issues were laid bare with a staggering 21 turnovers throughout the game, despite managing to keep pace on the offensive boards. Tyler Bilodeau was UCLA's leading scorer with 18 points, but the team could not reclaim control after Cronin’s departure.

Remarkably, Maryland built significant leads with runs of 11-0 and 10-0 throughout the night. Julian Reese contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, solidifying Maryland's control on both ends of the floor and holding UCLA to a mere 41.5% shooting efficiency.

Immediate scheduling concerns compounded UCLA’s struggles. Cronin noted the difficulties of navigating back-to-back away games after extensively traveling between sites, saying it had not been "good for us," especially with the logistics of moving across the country amid current circumstances.

UCLA is set to face Rutgers next, while Maryland will host Minnesota, hoping to extend the positive momentum from this convincing victory.

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