UCLA used an 18-3 run midway through the first half to build a comfortable lead and cruised to its fourth straight victory, 89-60 over UC Irvine at the L.A. Sports Arena on Tuesday.

The Bruins (6-5) climbed over .500 for the first time this season and are 4-0 since All-Pac 12 forward Reeves Nelson was booted off the team for insubordination by coach Ben Howland.

Freshman Norman Powell led the balanced UCLA offense with a career-high 19 points as five Bruins scored in double figures. Tyler Lamb had 17 points and Josh Smith and David Wear both had a dozen.

UC Irvine (2-9) lost for the seventh straight time. The Anteaters were led by Chris McNealy with 11 points and Daman Starring with 10. They trailed 42-28 at the half.

Travis Wear returned to the UCLA lineup after missing the past two games with a foot infection. He scored six points and grabbed six rebounds. The Bruins won the battle on the backboards 39-21.

The Bruins have won their past three games by a combined 85 points and led by as much as 34 in the second half.