LOS ANGELES (AP) — The freshmen who aren't playing for UCLA have been getting all the headlines. Kris Wilkes is starting his career by holding things down in their absence.
Wilkes scored 20 points, including five straight in overtime, and No. 23 UCLA rallied past stubborn Central Arkansas 106-101 on Wednesday night, hours after three of the Bruins' freshmen confessed to shoplifting in China and were indefinitely suspended.
Wilkes had 12 rebounds in salvaging the home opener for the Bruins (2-0), who edged Georgia Tech by three points to open the season last week during the China trip that turned into an international scandal. The freshman scored a leading 18 points in that victory. Aaron Holiday led UCLA with 24 points and Thomas Welsh added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
"We're all brothers and we're going to have each other's back no matter what happens," Holiday said.
The Bears (1-2) started overtime with a 3-pointer and a free throw by Jordan Howard to lead 90-86. Howard led them with 35 points, including eight 3-pointers.
Thatch Unruh, who finished with 20 points before fouling out with 10 seconds left in overtime, hit a 3-pointer that drew the Bears to 97-95, but the Bruins were able to avoid the upset.
"It was a fun game," Bears coach Russ Pennell said.