It was a message sent with a bullhorn, a move made with all the subtlety of an elbow to the ribs.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin sent regular starter Eric Dailey Jr. onto the court for tipoff Tuesday night alongside four players who are normally reserves.

The regular starters weren’t sick or injured, eventually playing against Sacramento State. Whatever the reason for their early absence, their replacements appeared to have the intended effect.

Showing plenty of spunk while scoring the game’s first 13 points, the new lineup vaulted the No. 19 Bruins to a 79-48 victory at Pauley Pavilion.

Trent Perry, Jamar Brown, Brandon Williams and Steven Jamerson II played scrappy defense and unselfish offense in helping their team build that big early lead. A Williams steal triggered a fast break endi

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