Murray Leads UCLA Over Aussies, 80-68

Freshman Tracy Murray scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead UCLA to an 80-68 exhibition victory over the Australian National Team Tuesday night in front of 5,341 at Pauley Pavilion.

The Aussies found themselves down under in a hurry, giving up 27 consecutive points and missing 14 shots in a row after taking a 2-0 lead.

But they closed to within 55-49 midway through the second half as guard Philip Smyth made four three-point shots.

UCLA’s three freshmen--Murray, Zan Mason and Mitchell Butler--then scored all but one of the Bruins’ next 17 points as they pulled away in their final tuneup before Saturday night’s regular-season opener against Santa Clara.