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The UCLA men’s basketball team has regained its star player. Jason Kapono never disappeared but he reemerged to ignite the Bruins’ first victory of the season by posting his career-high 28 points against Long Beach State. Kapono has scored the same amount four other times in his career but the Bruins were happy to get Kapono’s effort in the 81-58 win. “It feels good to have a Jason Kapono on the team,” sophomore guard Ryan Walcott said. “He makes our offense run much more easy and when he’s good, he’s really good.” Kapono was all over the floor against the 49ers. He recorded seven rebounds and converted 40 percent of his three-point attempts. “We need Jason a lot and he should bring it every game,” freshman Ryan Hollins said. Kapono brought it, and with 14 minutes remaining in the second half he had 25 points, half of the team’s total. His presence and play was imperative to seal the win. “He opens things up when he’s aggressive and he tries to score,” UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said. “We create opportunities for Jason and (the opponent’s) defense can’t locate him.” Long Beach State knew that Kapono was going to be a main factor in the game. The team focused their attention on him but it was not enough. “He’s an All-American,” 49ers guard Tony Darden said. “The game plan was to slow him but he’s too good.” Despite the good game, Kapono still got down on himself after the win. He is not a perfectionist but he always tries to perfect his game for his team. “I missed my only free throw and my last three point attempts,” he said. “Every time I score 28 points, I get stuck there. I was trying to get past it, get 31.” A new career best would not have mattered, though. While the Bruins totaled five field goals to Kapono’s seven in the first half, the team cut him some slack in the second. The team shot 60 percent to put UCLA over the top for good. Kapono had 13 points of his own in the second half. “I’m just going to have to score for all 40 minutes,” he said. “For the team to win, I am going to have to score.” The team is thankful of the win and of Kapono’s play, but for future games, the Bruins know they will need to find other shooters and win with a team effort. “The beauty about this team is we have a bunch of guys that are easily capable of taking over our team,” senior guard Ray Young said. “Other people will step up because we have a great balance.”

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