Loyola Marymount came in to Pauley Pavilion sporting a 8-0 record, the best start in program history. LMU also came in ranked No. 25 in the NCAA NET Rankings, while the Bruins were ranked No. 89.
LMU started off the game 1/8 from the field and 0-2 from behind the arc. This slow start enabled the Bruins to take an early 9-3 lead heading into the first media timeout. With Jaylen Hands leading the Bruins early with three assists, two of them leading to Moses Brown dunks.
Heading into the second media timeout, the Bruins and Jaylen Hands specifically, continued to share the ball as UCLA was shooting 8/14 early, with 7 of those 8 baskets coming on assists.