LOS ANGELES — Donovan Dent hit a go-ahead layup with 1 second remaining in additional time, lifting UCLA over No. 10 Illinois 95-94 on Saturday evening after the Bruins rallied from a 23-point, first-half deficit.
Followers stormed the court docket in celebration on the buzzer. It was UCLA’s largest comeback since rallying from 19 factors down in a 90-83 victory over Oregon on Feb. 23, 2019, at residence. And at a 23-point margin, in keeping with ESPN Analysis, it was largest comeback to defeat a High-10 opponent in AP Ballot historical past.
“Clearly, an incredible school basketball recreation,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin mentioned. “That is the second workforce that is are available right here because the No. 1 offense within the nation, and we acquired a win.”
Eric Dailey Jr. led six Bruins in double figures with 20 factors. Tyler Bilodeau had 18 factors and Trent Perry 17.
Freshman Keaton Wagler grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 4.9 seconds remaining to place Illinois in entrance, 94-93, earlier than Dent capped UCLA’s comeback.
“The final play was irritating. The one man that may beat you, beats you,” Illini coach Brad Underwood mentioned. “Wanted to make him go and a few guys acquired out of the best way. That is on me. I’ve acquired to do a greater job of engaged on that scenario.”
Neither workforce led by greater than two factors within the further session.
Wagler had 19 factors — making all eight of his free throws — eight rebounds and 6 assists.
The Bruins (18-9, 10-6 Large Ten) improved to 15-1 at residence.
Making their first go to to Pauley Pavilion since 1997, the Illini (22-6, 13-4) had been coming off a 36-point victory at Southern California, their largest in a Large Ten street recreation in 80 years, and had received 14 of 16.
“We didn’t run one factor we practiced the primary ten minutes,” Cronin mentioned. “As a result of we had been rattled, as a result of they had been making pictures.”
UCLA erased an 11-point deficit early within the second half with three 3-pointers and took its first lead of the sport on Xavier Booker‘s basket, 60-58.
From there, the sport was tied six instances and the groups traded one-point leads.
Bilodeau hit a 3-pointer and Dailey made one in all two free throws to maintain UCLA forward, 78-73.
The Illini outscored the Bruins 13-8 down the stretch, with Wagler making two free throws to tie it at 86-86. Dent missed a possible profitable 3-pointer with 1 second left in regulation.
The Illini outrebounded the Bruins 43-27, together with 20-8 on the offensive glass.
Forward by three, the Illini ran off 20 straight factors — hitting 5 3-pointers — to take their largest lead, 33-10. UCLA missed 11 pictures throughout its six-minute drought.
The Bruins outscored Illinois 33-17 to finish the primary half trailing 50-43. Booker had 10 factors, Perry eight and Skyy Clark 5 within the spurt.
The victory capped an in any other case lackluster week for the Bruins. They had been coming off street losses at Michigan (30 factors) and Michigan State (23 factors).
The Related Press contributed to this report.
