LOS ANGELES — Mick Cronin might not believe in messages, but his decision to shake things up certainly worked.

One game after the UCLA men’s basketball coach switched out four-fifths of his starting lineup, the Bruins responded with their most complete game of the season in an 86-46 victory over Presbyterian on Friday night. The Bruins went back to their normal starting five aside from leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau, who missed the game after spraining his left knee in practice the day before.

Redshirt sophomore Brandon Williams stepped in for his first start of the season, finishing with a season-high 11 points and seven rebounds. Skyy Clark led all scorers with 22 points, his highest scoring total over 39 games at UCLA. He shot 9 for 11 from the field after making his first six.

No. 19 UCLA (5-1) shot 62.7% from the field, its highest mark since Cronin took over as head coach in 2019. The Bruins’ offense was effective because of the guards’ ability to break down Presbyterian’s defense and create shots for themselves and others.

Clark and Donovan Dent probed into the paint with ease, getting downhill off dribble-handoffs or high ball screens. Clark drove for three uncontested layups, and drew an and-one on another to start the game. Dent got to the basket on consecutive possessions, finishing with a silky spin move. Once the defense adjusted, Dent kicked the ball to Jamar Brown and Williams for corner 3-pointers.

Steven Jamerson II returned from a minor ankle injury, which kept him out of the second half on Tuesday, and threw a perfect backdoor pass to Williams for a dunk.

In the second half, the Blue Hose (3-5) began to pick up full court. Clark and Dent used the extended defensive pressure to their advantage, beating the visitors with their dribble and finding nifty ways to get two feet in the paint. Dent drove for an and-one layup and Clark mixed a defender with a double crossover.

Dent also smartly looked off the defense and threw a lob to Eric Dailey Jr. for an alley-oop.

Later in the second half, Clark maneuvered around the Presbyterian defense with a stunting hesitation dribble into a fundamental high-pickup, finishing another right-handed layup. He showcased the most aggression he has all season, constantly looking for a lane, getting to the rim regardless of who was guarding him.

The Bruins have had a different starting lineup in each of their six games this season. Five times because of injury. Once because of a coach’s decision. Friday’s changes gave Williams an opportunity. He flourished, providing value on the glass and his off-ball activity on offense.

It’s crucial the Bruins return to full health soon as their first Big Ten game against Washington is less than two weeks away. But these incremental injuries have opened the door for Williams, Trent Perry and others to have greater responsibility for stretches. It could pay dividends as Cronin builds out his rotation and decides who he can trust.

While UCLA has won all five of its true home games to start the season, Friday was the first with no hiccups or coaching mindgames. The Bruins will look to turn that into momentum as they embark on their first true road game on Tuesday night at Cal.