UCLA links: Bruins move one step closer to season opener

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Jaylen Hands admitted that UCLA’s exhibition game against Cal State L.A. on Wednesday gave him jitters. The freshman didn’t show too many nerves, though, as he came one rebound away from a triple-double in UCLA’s 11-80 win over the Golden Eagles.

The guard from San Diego had 12 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, while senior center Thomas Welsh had 22 points and 14 rebounds in his 21 minutes. Hands electrified the crowd at Pauley Pavilion, the first home crowd he’s played in front of in his college career, with two alley-oops to fellow freshman Kris Wilkes in the second half. Wilkes, who missed his first two 3-point attempts and his first free throw, finished with 14 points, six rebounds and one assist.

“Me and Kris talked about (how) the first four minutes were a little jumpy,” Hands said. “But after that, you just get used to playing basketball like you always do and you get comfortable so it was just really fun and the atmosphere and all these people. I expect to have more (games like this).”

The Bruins depart for a weeklong stay in China on Saturday before their season opener on Nov. 10 against Georgia Tech.

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