MIKE CHIEN/Daily Bruin Staff Forward Jason Kapono struggles for control in last night’s 92-67 loss to Branch West.

LOS ANGELES – The UCLA Bruins were booed in their opening appearance as they suffered their most lopsided loss ever at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday.

Fortunately for UCLA, the game didn't count. The Bruins were beaten in an exhibition for the first time in nine years, when the Branch West Basketball Academy embarrassed them, 92-68.

No.14 UCLA played little perimeter defense, allowing 14 three-pointers, and was severely outmuscled in the post, getting outrebounded by 21.

"We didn't play with the necessary intensity and intelligence to win games," Coach Steve Lavin said.

The Bruins had not lost an exhibition since 1993, when the Australian national team upset them by 11 points. Branch West came in with a 1-4 record and lost by 24 points at Mississippi State on Saturday.

The only positive sign for UCLA was the return of guard Ray Young, who redshirted last season, and scored 15 points. Other than that, every regular had a disappointing performance.

"To start the season like this is pretty poor," senior Jason Kapono said. "It's tough to take. A team that's been playing together for two weeks beat a team that has played together for years."

Branch West guard Nate Pondexter scored 21 points and former NBA center Horacio Llamas, who was just added to the lineup, grabbed 10 rebounds against UCLA's thin front line. Center T.J. Cummings spent most of the night in foul trouble, and his freshman replacements had just two points each.

Two Orange County standouts starred for Branch West. Chris Dade, from Cal State Fullerton, scored 15 points and Doug Gottlieb, who is from Orange and is Oklahoma State's all-time assists leader, added 16. Gottlieb's father, Bob, coached the team to the blowout victory.

"At least we know all of our deficiencies now," Cummings said. "This will make us play harder next time."