The UCLA Bruins flexed their collective offensive muscles in the first half of their opening-round matchups against Kent State, as they shot 60 percent as a team to jump out to a 47-39 lead.

T.J. Leaf led the Bruins with 16 points. The Flashes came out of the gate sluggish, as they managed to only go 1-11 from the field, which helped UCLA jump out to a quick 16-2 lead.

The Flashes fought back to make it a 33-24 game, but that was as close as they could get before the end of the half, when a Deon Edwin steal and slam dunk cut the Bruins halftime lead to 47-39.

The two teams played back-and-forth on offense for most of the half, which led to high-scoring marks for most members of the teams.

UCLA’s Lonzo Ball recorded 10 points and two assists in the half before he hobbled into the locker room after suffering an injury.

Sophomore Jaylin Walker leads the Flashes with 12 points, while senior Jimmy Hall has added 10 points and nine rebounds. He has also picked up two fouls.

The Flashes have 11 second-chance points and 10 offense rebounds.

Henry Palattella is the sports editor, contact him at [email protected].