UCLA beats Gonzaga in a nail-biter at Intuit Dome

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Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle, top, fouls UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. by leaping onto his back and striking his head during the first half Saturday afternoon at Intuit Dome. Battle was ejected from the game. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

No crazy buzzer-beater. No last-minute miracle.

After so much heartache over so many years, UCLA finally shook off its Gonzaga jinx under coach Mick Cronin on Saturday afternoon at Intuit Dome.

It looked like the Bruins might be in store for more misfortune when Sebastian Mack fouled Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard on a driving layup with 8.1 seconds left, sending Nembhard to the line for the free throw that could tie the score.

But the basketball gods finally smiled upon the Bruins.

Nembhard missed the free throw and UCLA’s Skyy Clark chased down the rebound before getting fouled. He made both free throws to give the No. 22 Bruins a breathless 65-62 victory over the No. 14 Bulldogs.

UCLA guard Trent Perry, sitting on the court, and teammate Eric Dailey Jr. both yell after Perry drew a foul on a three-point shot Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

It was the first victory over Gonzaga for Cronin at UCLA after having dropped his first four meetings, including a pair of heartbreakers on game-winning shots in the NCAA tournament.

A heavily pro-Bruins crowd cheered the team on its way off the court after it shook off its 16-point collapse against North Carolina from last weekend.

Forward Eric Dailey Jr. scored 18 points to lead four players in double figures for the Bruins (11-2), who made 12 of 24 three-pointers.

Gonzaga (9-4) had multiple chances to forge another late win. Bulldogs guard Dusty Stromer rose for a three-pointer that could have given his team the lead with 17 seconds left, but the shot was off the mark and Clark grabbed the rebound before getting fouled.

Clark got both of his free throws to roll in, providing the Bruins with a 63-62 lead. UCLA was the team that needed a little luck this time.

Mack redeemed himself — and…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ucla-beats-gonzaga-nail-biter-234059203.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-12-28 23:40:00

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