In a hard-fought battle at the United Center, Rutgers' journey in the Big Ten Tournament came to a halt as they faced a formidable UCLA team. After a solid victory over Minnesota, the Scarlet Knights couldn't maintain their momentum against the well-rested Bruins, falling 72-59.
This result left Rutgers with a 14-19 record, while UCLA improved to 22-10. Rutgers has shown resilience lately, going 5-4 in their last nine games and 3-2 in the last five.
Lino Mark was a standout for Rutgers, leading the team with 17 points, marking his seventh double-figure game in the last ten outings. He also contributed five rebounds and five assists.
Darren Buchanan was just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, while Emmanuel Ogbole added eight points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Tariq Francis continued to etch his name in the Rutgers record books, securing the fifth spot for most free throws in a single season with 152 and boasting an impressive 90.5% from the line.
On the other side, UCLA's Donovan Dent made history by recording the first triple-double in Big Ten Tournament history, tallying 12 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Tyler Bilodeau led the Bruins with 21 points, showcasing their depth and talent.
Shooting percentages were close, with RU at 37.9% and UCLA at 38.3%. However, the Bruins made their mark at the free-throw line, hitting 19-of-23, and dominated the boards with a 40-30 rebounding advantage.
Rutgers took an early 4-0 lead, but UCLA quickly responded with runs of 11-0 and 7-0, gaining an 18-12 edge as RU struggled with a 4-13 start from the field. The Scarlet Knights tightened their defense, holding UCLA to 3-15 shooting for the remainder of the half.
At the break, UCLA led 30-24, capitalizing on their free-throw opportunities by going 8-9 from the line. Harun Zrno kept Rutgers in the game with a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc, contributing nine points by halftime.
The second half saw Rutgers claw back within a single possession, but UCLA answered with another surge to extend their lead to double digits. The teams traded blows throughout, but UCLA maintained control, eventually sealing the game with a 13-point victory. The Bruins now advance to face No. 3 seed Michigan State, continuing their pursuit of the championship.