Kapono Is Can’t-Miss Kid Again

There’s nothing like knocking off UCLA’s all-time scoring leader to boost confidence.

One day after Jason Kapono beat Don MacLean in a friendly shooting competition, Kapono put on a scoring display against Washington State that ranks among the best in Bruin history.

The senior forward racked up 44 points -- 16 more than his previous career best -- and set a school record with nine three-point baskets to lead UCLA to a 98-83 victory Saturday before 1,658 at Beasley Coliseum.

Exhibiting more aggressiveness than he has all season, Kapono made 14 of 19 shots and missed only once from three-point range.

Best of all, his feverish touch was contagious. The Bruins made 63.5% of their shots, shooting better than 60% in each half, to improve to 2-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference and 4-5 overall.

Near the end, Ray Young and Dijon Thompson sat on the bench placing wagers on Kapono’s total.

“Ray said he’d get 40 and I thought he’d top out at 38,” Thompson said.

There was no stopping Kapono, and he can thank MacLean, a former All-American forward in his first year as Bruin radio color commentator. Besides pushing Kapono in the post-practice shooting contest Friday, MacLean sat him down for a heart-to-heart, scorer-to-scorer chat.

“I sensed his confidence was way down,” MacLean said. “He’s thinking about the NBA, the Coach [Steve] Lavin thing, everything but just going out and playing.”

Kapono, who led the Bruins in scoring the last three years, came back for his senior season because he wanted to be part of a winning team. Yet the Bruins struggled, Lavin’s job security became a constant topic, and Kapono felt responsible.

It’s tough to make a jump shot with the weight of the world on your shoulders.

“I had to play free and get my swagger back,” he said. “I’ve been passing up chances to score. I don’t think I’ll become Pistol Pete, but hopefully I can stay in this rhythm.”

UCLA trailed early and Kapono’s first basket came on a drive through the lane that cut the deficit to 12-8. He made a three-pointer and a baseline jumper to help tie the score, 15-15, then got sizzling hot, scoring 15 points in the last five minutes of the half as UCLA pulled away, 53-37.

Kapono’s 25 points in the half were only three short of his career best in a game, and he passed the mark on one play less than two minutes into the second half, getting fouled while making a three-point basket and sinking the free throw.

Washington State (5-6, 0-2) had point guard Marcus Moore shadow him in the second half, but little changed. Kapono even found time to accumulate six assists and five rebounds.

“It was one of those days when you don’t care who is guarding you,” he said.

With Cougar center Milton Riley sidelined because of a back injury, Bruin post players T.J. Cummings and Andre Patterson were nearly as effective in the paint as Kapono was on the perimeter, combining to make 12 of 19 shots.

Young added 12 points and played inspired defense, taking two charges. The point guards were also effective -- Ryan Walcott had 10 points and three assists, and Cedric Bozeman equaled a career best with eight assists.

Bozeman had so much fun passing to open shooters that he didn’t worry about being held scoreless.

“I could sit back and watch a masterpiece,” he said.

Kapono’s scoring total matched the fifth highest in UCLA history and eclipsed MacLean’s best of 41. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) scored more than 44 -- he did it four times, including the record of 61.

Kapono also moved past Bill Walton into 10th place on the career scoring list. If he continues to score at his current pace, Kapono would become the fourth Bruin to eclipse 2,000 points, joining MacLean (2,608), Abdul-Jabbar (2,325) and Reggie Miller (2,095).

For one day, Bruin woes triggered by five early losses were buried in Kapono’s flurry of baskets.

For one day, his 11-of-34 shooting slump in three consecutive losses that preceded this two-game sweep of the Washington schools was forgotten.

“He played the way we envisioned him playing his senior year,” Lavin said. “I didn’t expect 44, but more like 25 to 34, game in and game out.”

Whether the outburst was an isolated event or the beginning of a prolonged hot spell remains to be seen. Kapono chose to enjoy the moment.

“I was pretty low,” he said. “I was in a slump. But I’m a shooter. Even if I get a gleam of light, I’m going to shoot it.

“To score 44 after being in a slump was a boost. To get two road wins after we were called the worst team in UCLA history, that was even more special.”

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*--* * Jan. 4, 2003 at Washington State By the Numbers UCLA’s leading scorers in a game: 61 LEW ALCINDOR * Feb. 25, 1967 vs. Washington State 56 LEW ALCINDOR * Dec. 3, 1966 vs. USC 45 LEW ALCINDOR * Jan. 29, 1967 vs. Illinois at Chicago * Dec. 9, 1967 vs. Iowa State 44 LEW ALCINDOR * Jan. 12, 1968 at California BILL WALTON * March 26, 1973 vs. Memphis State JASON KAPONO

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