[0] UCLA IN RECOVERY MODE REVITALIZED BRUINS GET A VITAL VICTORY UCLA, 75 OREGON, 69.

Byline: Jon Wilner Staff Writer

The signs of recovery were everywhere. Before the game, a UCLA official distributed its annual NCAA Tournament information - followed by the comment, ``Don't laugh.'' Early in the game, Bruins center Dan Gadzuric, who makes Shaq look like Rick Barry at the line, hit a free throw. And by halftime, the bumbling Bruins had committed just six - count 'em, six - turnovers.

Desperate but not demoralized after six losses in seven games, the Bruins defeated Oregon 75-69 Thursday at Pauley Pavilion in the most important game of their season.

``We've been down about the losses,'' UCLA reserve guard Billy Knight said, ``but we still have a chance to turn the season around.''

Indeed they do.

The Bruins (14-11, 5-8) must win four of their last five games to attain the 18 victories that probably would secure an NCAA Tournament berth. The four are easy to spot: Oregon State on Saturday, Cal next week (in Berkeley) and the Washington schools, which visit Pauley on the final weekend.

In other words, Thursday's victory helped the Bruins avoid their nightmare scenario - having to win at Stanford to maintain their 18-win pace.

They aren't thinking NIT, at least not yet.

``People have asked about the NIT,'' UCLA coach Steve Lavin said. ``Our view is that we'll cross that bridge when it comes. We're still fighting to make the Tournament.''

The Ducks (18-7, 9-5) weren't in a must-win situation, but they had plenty at stake nonetheless. After losing to Washington last weekend - one of the biggest upsets in the Pac-10 this season - they need two or three wins to clinch an at-large bid. Their nonconference victories (Minnesota, Wake Forest and Gonzaga) probably aren't enough to overcome a late-season collapse.

``They're all huge weekends because the teams are so competitive,'' Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. ``This is just another one coming down the stretch, as (is) next weekend.''

The Bruins returned to basics this week, beginning with a short video review of their 45 turnovers in Arizona last weekend. During lengthy practices Monday and Tuesday, they concentrated on passing and catching, reading defenses and handling pressure. They also practiced free throws.

``The two biggest areas are getting tougher and playing smarter,'' Lavin said. ``Our biggest deficiencies are turnovers and not converting free-throw attempts. Those are extremely deflating plays. We're consistently fighting uphill.''

Not Thursday. The Bruins led for the final 33 minutes and took better care of the ball than they have in weeks. They were controlled and made good decisions. They were organized, and they executed the gameplan by continually passing to center Dan Gadzuric in the low post. Gadzuric responded with 11 points in the first half (mostly on dunks) and drew several fouls on Ducks defenders.

The best player on the court in the first half was Watson, who scored 18 points on a variety of jumpers, offensive rebounds and inbound plays. With star forward Jason Kapono on the bench for 15 minutes (foul trouble), Watson's production was vital.

The one thing the Bruins didn't do, of course, was make free throws. They were 9 of 16 in the half, and the misses loomed large when Oregon scored the last two baskets to trim an 11-point deficit to seven.

The rally continued early in the second half. Instead of settling for jump shots, the Ducks fed forward Bryan Bracey in the low post, where he was too athletic for the Bruins. Bracey scored seven consecutive points - the last two on an authoritative dunk - to slice UCLA's lead to 43-30 with 13 minutes remaining.

In this situation last month in Oregon's McArthur Court, the Bruins collapsed. They lost their poise and their patience. Thursday, they stayed calm, then counterpunched.

Jerome Moiso converted a three-point play (his first basket of the game) and buried a 15-footer. Ray Young hit a hanging jumper from the left side, then Watson beat the press and found Kapono in the left corner. His 3-pointer extended UCLA's lead to 58-46.