Dent shows new life in UCLA's win

Guard finally looks like someone who could carry a team against Arizona State.

- BY BEN BOLCH

ETHAN SWOPE Associated Press

DONOVAN DENT (2) drives past Arizona State's Andrija Grbovic during UCLA's victory at Pauley Pavilion.

The crowd couldn't believe what it had just witnessed.

Donovan Dent's crossover move left a helpless defender watching from behind as he accelerated toward the basket, fans unleashing audible admiration even before the UCLA point guard completed the play with a driving layup.

Poor Noah Meeusen and everyone else who tried to stop Dent.

They were overmatched by the finishing ability and fearlessness of a player who had not shown much of either over the season's first month, hardly resembling the star the Bruins thought they were getting.

On a revelation of a Wednesday night inside Pauley Pavilion, Dent finally looked like someone who could carry a team.

He did exactly that, the transfer from New Mexico helping the Bruins fend off Arizona State during a 90-77 victory that had his handprints all over it.

There were blow-by layups, floaters, a rare three-pointer and an old-fashioned three-point play on a jumper he threw up while getting fouled and falling down along the baseline. Dent unveiled a full array of moves on the way to scoring 20 points while making nine of 17 shots.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin said he sensed Dent might have a big game given the Sun Devils' up-and-down style was one that played to his strengths. Dent said a confidence boost came from coaches and teammates reminding him of his abilities.