LOS ANGELES, Ca. -Top ranked UCLA recorded a season high 24 team blocks, including 41 block assists, in a 3-1 victory over Loyola Marymount Tuesday in Pauley Pavilion. The victory was the Bruins' 55th straight over the Lions.

The victory also raised the Bruins' overall record to 22-3. They are tied for first place at 15-2 in the MPSF Mountain Division with Pepperdine prior to Friday's showdown at Pauley against the Waves at 7 p.m. (PDT).

Although the Bruins surrendered a game to the Lions, who lost their sixth straight match, their block nearly carried them to a sweep. Trailing 4-11 in Game 3, UCLA's block accounted for seven of its final nine points. At 8-12 after an LMU timeout, UCLA blocked for four straight points to tie the game at 12-12. After three sideouts, a block by Adam Naeve and Fred Robins gave UCLA a 13-12 lead before LMU rallied to win.

In Game 4, the Lions took a 2-0 lead before sophomore Matt Davis served four straight points to give the Bruins a lead they never lost. Three straight UCLA blocks ended the game and the match LMU.

"We've worked really hard on our block [this week] and it showed tonight," said UCLA head coach Al Scates. "We'll need it Friday night."

The Bruins remain in control of their own destiny for the home court advantage in the MPSF playoffs. A victory over the Waves Friday night would virtually assure the Bruins the tournament's top seed with one league match remaining Tuesday, Apr. 14 at UC Irvine.

Statistically, sophomore opposite Evan Thatcher pounded a match high 24 kills against LMU, and senior Tom Stillwell (17 kills, 10 blocks) and Naeve (20 kills, 13 blocks) recorded double-doubles. Setter Brandon Taliaferro and outside hitter Mark Williams each contributed 10 digs.