That UCLAHis quest for reliable offense continues, one tandem continues to rise above the rest.

The frontcourt duo Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey Jr. showed once again on Wednesday night all the ways he can get buckets for the Bruins.

The first half was a stretch of perfection for Dailey, who made all five of his shots. The second half belonged to Bilodeau and his ability to sink one jumper after another.

Forwards accounted for nearly half of UCLA’s offense during a 84-70 win over Idaho State at Pauley Pavilion, combining for 36 points while making 15-of-23 shooting.

Bilodeau scored 20 points on eight-for-14 shooting, including four of four from three. Dailey added 16 points for the Bruins (4-1) while making seven of nine shots to go with seven rebounds.

Guard Sebastian Mack contributed 21 points off the bench with 15 free throws for the Bruins, who have won three straight in convincing fashion from their failure against New Mexico earlier this month.

Read more:Pauley Pavilion is devoid of confrontational fans as part of UCLA’s move to neutral games

In the midst of a seven-game stretch against low- and mid-level opponents, UCLA continues to change lineups before facing bigger challenges that will require a more streamlined approach.

“I’d like to have a lineup that makes a lot of shots,” coach Mick Cronin said earlier this week, “and doesn’t turn the ball over.”

Since angering their coach with a lack of toughness against New Mexico, the Bruins have pleased him with improved competitiveness and defensive intensity.

Next on Cronin’s to-do list? Get better at rebounding, reducing turnovers and making shots.

There was some progress Wednesday as the Bruins made 27 of 47 shots (a season-high 57.4 percent) and committed a reasonable 11 turnovers. But they gave up 10 offensive rebounds after putting a lid on the basket in practice this week to emphasize boxing.

UCLA has also shown some defensive slippage after holding its previous three opponents to 50 points or less at home this season.

Idaho State may not have much name recognition, but the Bengals have a proud history against UCLA. Some might say they ended the Bruins basketball dynasty with a 76-75 upset over a team led by Marques Johnson. in the second round of the 1977 NCAA Tournament.

John Wooden was already gone, you say? True, but the Bruins extended their run to Final Fours a year after he retired in 1975, only to have the team’s streak of 10 consecutive trips to college basketball’s biggest stage end thanks to a flurry of points and rebounds from Idaho State’s Steve Hayes.

Senior forward Isaiah Griffin looked like he might reprise that role as he scored Idaho State’s first 12 points on Wednesday. At that point, the Bengals (2-4) had a 12-10 lead and looked like they might have a shot at a breakthrough after single-digit losses to Arizona State, USC and Cal State Fullerton.

But Bilodeau and Dailey countered with back-to-back three-pointers to spark a 10-0 run, and the Bruins were never seriously challenged again. Griffin finished with 16 points to lead Idaho State.

UCLA junior guard Dylan Andrews, returning from a groin injury that sidelined him the last two games, had three points, four assists and two rebounds in 12 minutes.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.