BRUINS TAUGHT A LESSON; POISED STANFORD TAKES CONTROL IN FINAL MINUTES : STANFORD 72 UCLA 59.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

With five minutes remaining, the game ended and the clinic began.

Stanford did all the teaching.

UCLA challenged the Cardinal in a way it had not been challenged in Pac-10 play. But even the Bruins' best effort, on their home floor, with a rowdy crowd, was not enough. Stanford broke open a close game and defeated UCLA 72-59 on Saturday night.

Leading 54-53 with 5:31 remaining - and with UCLA's most effective player, center Dan Gadzuric, on the bench with five fouls - the Cardinal shifted into a dimension of poise and precision the baby Bruins simply do not possess.

A 10-0 surge later, the No. 4 Cardinal was in total command, leading 64-53 and cruising to its 11th consecutive victory. The game ended with a frustration foul by Baron Davis (on Stanford guard Art Lee) and objects being hurling onto the court from the UCLA student section.

But for 35 minutes, it was a riveting duel of tactics and talent, structure and spirit. The dominant theme was Stanford's smothering defense. Acutely aware of Davis' every move, the Cardinal dropped four players into the paint at the slightest hint of penetration. It smothered UCLA's greatest weapon and forced the Bruins into perimeter shots and wild attempts from the low post.

Meanwhile, UCLA played defense with the same energy it used to confound Arizona and Cal - except Stanford operates on a higher level. When the Bruins overplayed in the low post, attempting to cut off entry passes to Mark Madsen and Tim Young, the Cardinal countered with lob passes to open space under the basket.

The Bruins were most effective when harassing Lee and Kris Weems, thereby throttling the Cardinal offense at its origin. The Bruins challenged every pass and contested every rebound - something woefully lacking in previous matchups with Stanford. It was by far UCLA's best defensive performance of the season.

But it was not nearly enough. The Bruins lost Gadzuric (who had a team-high 15 points) to fouls with just under seven minutes remaining, and their energy seemed to depart with him. Freshman Jerome Moiso was in foul trouble throughout and mostly ineffective, leaving the Bruins outmanned underneath.

The margin would have been greater, except Stanford made just 32 of 49 free throws. UCLA was 6 of 15 from the line.

The difference in styles matched the difference in preparation.

Stanford held a 90-minute practice Friday at Pauley Pavilion that emphasized tactics. It reviewed a plethora of set plays, adjusting here and there to counteract UCLA's tendencies.

Then the Cardinal practiced its man-to-man and zone defenses with an ongoing dissertation by coach Mike Montgomery. His theme: Limit the Bruins' offensive rebounding, don't gamble for passes or position and force them to make difficult shots.

Two hours after Stanford departed, UCLA arrived. The Bruins shot free throws for 45 minutes, watched videotape for 30 minutes and disbanded.

It was a typical Friday, especially following a victory; because the Bruins rely heavily on transition and athleticism, coach Steve Lavin keeps their legs as fresh as possible.

But he had seen enough from his players - both this week and this season - to take a tempered optimism with him.

``This team does tend to step up to challenges,'' Lavin said. ``You saw it the way they responded to Kentucky, against Oregon, Cal, Arizona.''

Stanford is unique in its precision and balance, however. In Pac-10 play, every starter averages double figures. Collapse on the big men, and the guards beat you. Pressure the guards, and the big guys get busy.

``You can't pick your poison,'' Lavin said. ``You have to match them mano-a-mano and play 40 minutes of hard-nosed basketball.''

It was that, for sure. Stanford controlled the tempo from the opening tip, jumping to a 9-4 lead and drawing two quick fouls on Gadzuric and Moiso. Lavin removed them immediately, guessing correctly that the Bruins could stay in striking range with a small lineup.

Gadzuric and Moiso were back on the court when the second half began, and Gadzuric made three early baskets - including a ferocious dunk - to jump-start UCLA's attack.

Unable to contain UCLA's quickness, Stanford switched to a zone defense midway through the half. It worked as designed, sending UCLA's offense into instant stagnation. The Bruins scored once in eight possessions as Stanford reclaimed the lead and rolled to victory.

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3 Photos

Photo: (1--Color) UCLA's Baron Davis is called for a technical foul that slowed the Bruins' momentum in the first half.

(2) Chelsea Clinton, third row from bottom, sits with a group of Stanford supporters Saturday.

(3) Standford's Mark Madsen (45) dunks over UCLA's Travis Reed (13) in the Cardinal's 72-59 win.

John McCoy/Daily News