UCLA faced a must-win situation against No. 10 Illinois on Saturday night, needing a victory to keep their NCAA tournament dreams alive.
Falling to 17-10 and 2-8 in Quad 1 play was not an option for a team with March Madness aspirations. With a thrilling 95-94 victory, capped by Donovan Dent's buzzer-beating layup, those hopes are very much intact.
Dent, who tallied an impressive 14 points and 15 assists, made sure the Bruins left the court victorious.
Earlier, Dent had a chance to seal the win in regulation, but his three-point attempt fell short, pushing the game into overtime. It was a high-stakes showdown, and UCLA came through when it mattered most. The win boosts their record to 18-9 and improves their Quad 1 performance to 3-7, a significant improvement as they aim for the postseason.
Eric Dailey Jr. led the Bruins with a standout performance, scoring 20 points-his best outing this season. All five starters hit double digits, but it was Xavier Booker who shone brightest off the bench.
Booker went 7-8 from the field, contributing 16 crucial points, reminiscent of his performance against Rutgers, but this time with even more on the line. The Bruins showed grit and determination, earning a well-deserved victory.
Next up, UCLA takes their 18-9 record on the road against Minnesota, followed by a home matchup with No. 9 Nebraska.
This win could be the momentum boost they need heading into the Big Ten tournament. Trent Perry continued his strong play with 17 points, while Tyler Bilodeau added 18.
The Bruins also did an excellent job containing potential lottery pick Keaton Wagler, holding him to 5-15 shooting for 19 points. Hats off to the Bruins for a job well done!