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UCLA center Michael Fey fights for control of the ball against Oregon State’s Kyle Jeffers

The UCLA locker room was quiet after Thursday’s game.

That was because many of the Bruins didn’t know what to say.

The smiles that adorned the faces of the Bruins just a week ago were replaced with somber looks and furtive glances at the floor, their confidence and their NCAA Tournament hopes shaken by a 79-72 loss to Oregon State in the first round of the Pac-10 Tournament.

Senior Dijon Thompson answered questions from the media in a slow and deliberate manner but could offer no explanation for the team’s stagnant first half that saw UCLA trail by as many as 22 points.

“No defense,” said Thompson.

Junior Michael Fey was barely holding back tears as the final seconds ticked away, and in post-game interviews could only shake his head in disappointment.

“We didn’t come out like we wanted to win, and it showed in our play,” he said.

There seemed to be no explanation for the Bruins’ lack of first-half intensity, lackadaisical defense and disorganized offense. But the only answer UCLA (18-10, 11-7 Pac-10) is truly interested in is whether or not it will be participating in the big dance.

Still, even in that respect, the Bruins were at a loss for words.

“I really couldn’t say,” freshman Josh Shipp said. “I can’t call that one.”

“I have no clue what the next step is going to be,” said Thompson, who had a game-high 21 points.

The victory was only the Beavers’ (17-13, 8-10) first of the season over a conference opponent away from Corvallis, Ore., but after the game UCLA coach Ben Howland could only compliment Oregon State and defend his team’s case for the NCAA Tournament.

“This shows you how good the Pac-10 is, for a team as talented as Oregon State to finish fifth,” he said. “We’ve had a very strong year, especially the way we played down the stretch.

“I feel good about our chances and I think we deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament.”

If indeed UCLA is selected, the Bruins will take Thursday’s loss as a learning experience for the entire team, but especially for the freshmen.

Jordan Farmar, who tore the Beavers apart only a week ago, struggled in his first experience of playing in the postseason, shooting 6-for-19 from the field.

“It was pretty intense, but a good experience,” he said. “It might teach us a good lesson if we get lucky enough to get selected (to the NCAA Tournament).”

But fellow freshman Arron Afflalo could not contain the frustration in his voice, and for him the Bruins’ performance was totally inexplicable.

“Even as a freshman you know that this isn’t the regular season anymore,” Afflalo said. “This is another level of basketball now. In a game like this, there’s no excuse for it.

“I can’t give any reason.”

UCLA allowed Oregon State to shoot 60 percent in the first half including 6 of 11 from beyond the arc, and although the Bruins stormed back to within four points late in the second half, 18 turnovers and poor shot selection doomed the Bruins’ spirited comeback attempt.

Forced to quickly make up a big lead, UCLA jacked up a whopping 27 3-point attempts, converting only seven.

Now, the Bruins will be forced to sit and wait, hoping the committee will call their names come Selection Sunday.

Yet despite the loss, UCLA still appears to be a likely pick to make the field of 65 teams, but the uncertainty of its postseason fate is even more frustrating for the Bruins than the loss.

“We’ve left it up to the committee as far as the NCAA Tournament goes,” Afflalo said.