Nov. 28, 1997

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Freshman Baron Davis scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half as sixth-ranked UCLA opened a 21-point halftime lead and cruised to a 92-68 victory over host Alaska-Anchorage in the consolation round of the Great Alaska Shootout.

J.R. Henderson scored 21 points and Toby Bailey added 15 for the Bruins (1-1), who were embarrassed in a 41-point loss to North Carolina in Thursday's opener. They took out their frustrations on Alaska-Anchorage, a Division II school.

"Our staff was pleased with our level of intensity and our unselfishness, especially coming into the game from a 41-point loss last night," UCLA coach Steve Lavin said. "It's good for our young players to learn how to bounce back from a defeat."

Davis, who scored 13 points in his collegiate debut -- a 109-68 loss to the Tar Heels -- surpassed that total in the first half, when UCLA shot 65 percent (24-of-37) from the field and opened a 55-34 lead.

"Baron has poise offensively," Lavin said. "Defensively, he is like a junkyard dog. He is the central guy at both ends of the floor."

The Bruins opened the second half with a 25-9 burst for an 80-43 advantage with 9 1/2 minutes to go. The shooting cooled off and UCLA finished at 53 percent (37-of-70) from the field.

Again playing without suspended forward Kris Johnson and center Jelani McCoy, the Bruins will face Alabama-Birmingham for fifth place in the eight-team tourney.

Clay Anderson scored 14 points and Chris Hamey and John Webber added 11 apiece for the Seawolves (0-2), who shot 40 percent (21-of-52), committed 24 turnovers and were outrebounded, 41-30.

"When we go to McDonald's we go for a hamburger," Seawolves coach Charlie Burns said. "When they go to McDonald's they go for athletes -- All-Americans."