California-UCLA Preview

Now that UCLA has clinched the Pac-10 regular-season title, it can focus on continuing its run toward securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The third-ranked Bruins look to close out the regular season with a seventh straight victory when they host California on Saturday afternoon.

UCLA (27-3, 15-2) won 77-67 in overtime at home over No. 7 Stanford on Thursday to clinch its third consecutive regular-season conference title and secure the No. 1 seed in next week's Pac-10 tournament at nearby Staples Center.

"It feels great. We're going to soak it all up," said 6-foot-10 freshman Kevin Love, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds for his 19th double-double.

The victory also put the Bruins in solid position to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, meaning UCLA can't afford to take California (15-13, 6-11) for granted as it tries to sweep the season series from the Golden Bears, who have lost four in a row.

Any slip-up leading up to the announcement of the NCAA field could be costly for the Bruins, who lost 76-69 to California in the quarterfinals of last year's Pac-10 tournament and were given a No. 2 seed, but still reached the Final Four.

Though UCLA has won four straight regular season contests against the Bears -- including a 70-58 road win on Jan. 5 -- the Bruins look to avoid a letdown after the hard-earned victory over Stanford.

The win made Ben Howland the first Bruins coach since John Wooden to win three straight league titles. UCLA won three consecutive Pac-10 titles from 1995-97, with Jim Harrick winning two titles and Steve Lavin the third.

Darren Collison had 24 points as UCLA overcame a season-low 18-point first-half performance to outscore the Cardinal by 12 in the in the second half and 14-4 in overtime.

"When you want to win something so bad, everything works in your favor," said Collison, who is averaging 17.0 points in his last six contests.

Russell Westbrook scored 19 points, while Luc Richard Mbah a Moute had 10 and 11 rebounds for the Bruins, who set a school record for most regular season wins.

"We kept pushing past the adversity," said Love, the team's leading scorer and rebounder who is averaging 18.5 points and 12.0 rebounds in his last four contests.

Love had 19 points with 14 boards, while Collison added 14 points and five assists in UCLA's win over California in January.

The Bears lost 93-89 in overtime at Southern California on Thursday for their sixth loss in seven games. Patrick Christopher scored 24 points and Pac-10 scoring leader Ryan Anderson added 22 and 12 rebounds for California, which has lost three of its last four on the road.

"In the end, that's what you have, your pride, your fight, your effort," California coach Ben Braun said. "This group will come together."

Anderson, the 6-10 sophomore who's averaging 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest, was held to 12 points and eight boards against UCLA earlier this season.

California is 2-5 against ranked opponents this season with victories over then-No. 22 USC on Jan. 3 and on the road against then-No. 9 Washington State on Jan. 31.