UCLA Grinds Out Gritty Win Over Washington Behind Perry’s Poise, Dent’s Command
LOS ANGELES - It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t perfect, and it definitely wasn’t easy-but it was a win. UCLA dug deep Saturday night to earn its fifth victory in six games, outlasting Washington 77-73 in a game that tested the Bruins’ resilience, adaptability, and late-game composure.
This one had all the hallmarks of a classic Pac-12 grinder: lead changes, defensive adjustments, foul trouble, and a flurry of clutch plays down the stretch. And when the dust settled, it was UCLA that made just enough plays, just in time.
Trent Perry: Calm Under Pressure
Freshman guard Trent Perry delivered the kind of performance that builds trust in crunch time. He poured in a game-high 23 points and, more importantly, hit four ice-cold free throws in the final minute to hold off a late Washington push.
Perry’s shot-making was timely, but it was his poise in the final moments that stood out. When the Huskies turned up the pressure, Perry didn’t blink.
Dent Orchestrates, Again
Donovan Dent continues to be the Bruins’ engine. The sophomore guard notched his sixth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 assists, controlling the pace and making the right reads against multiple defensive looks. Whether it was threading passes through tight windows or attacking the rim with confidence, Dent was in full command.
He was especially effective during UCLA’s first-half rally, when the Bruins flipped the momentum after falling behind early. With the team trailing by eight and struggling to find rhythm, Dent jump-started a run by getting downhill for a lefty layup, knocking down free throws, and setting up Perry for a transition three that gave UCLA its first lead.
Bilodeau Comes Alive in the Second Half
Tyler Bilodeau had a quiet first half-just four shot attempts-but came out of the locker room with purpose. UCLA made a point to get him involved early in the second half, and the strategy paid off.
On the opening possession, Dent found Bilodeau for a pick-and-pop three from the left wing. Moments later, Bilodeau buried another from the corner, then hit a tough turnaround jumper with a hand in his face. By the time he picked up his fourth foul midway through the second half, Bilodeau had already tallied 15 points, most of them coming in a key stretch that helped UCLA build momentum.
Head coach Mick Cronin had to sit him with 10:37 left, but when Washington trimmed the lead to just two, Cronin took a calculated risk. Bilodeau re-entered with 5:39 to go and immediately made his presence felt-blowing by his defender for a three-point play that swung the momentum back UCLA’s way.
Defensive Adjustments Make the Difference
UCLA’s defense started the game on its heels, giving up 12 of the first 14 points to Washington’s Wesley Yates, who was red-hot early and finished with 21. The Bruins struggled with closeouts and gave up too many clean looks in the first few minutes.
But to their credit, they adjusted. Cronin switched to a full-court press that dropped into a matchup zone, and the change paid off.
UCLA forced four straight stops, cleaned up the glass, and turned defense into offense. That stretch flipped the energy in the building and gave the Bruins the edge they needed to weather the rest of the game.
Closing Time: Free Throws and Focus
With just under two minutes left, UCLA led by nine after a Dent layup, seemingly in control. But Washington wasn’t done. Yates and Koren Peterson sparked a furious rally, combining for 10 quick points that cut the lead to just four in the final seconds.
That’s when the Bruins’ composure at the line sealed it. UCLA went a perfect 6-for-6 from the stripe in the final minute, with Perry leading the way. In a game where every possession mattered, those free throws were the final nail.
The Bottom Line
This wasn’t UCLA’s cleanest performance-they shot just 34.5% in the first half, committed early turnovers, and had to navigate foul trouble from key players. But what stood out was their ability to adjust, respond, and execute when it mattered most.
Dent continues to evolve into one of the most reliable floor generals in the conference, Perry is growing into a go-to scorer, and Bilodeau showed why he’s such a matchup problem when he’s aggressive. Throw in timely contributions from Eric Dailey Jr. and a defense that found its footing mid-game, and you’ve got the kind of gritty, hard-earned win that builds character in February.
It wasn’t pretty-but it was a win. And at this point in the season, that’s exactly what matters.