Down 23 Factors And Reeling All Week, UCLA Finds An OT Escape Towards No. 10 Illinois

[ad_1] UCLA was having a really dangerous week, staggering to blowout losses on the highway, the place coach Mick Cronin angrily — and he later admitted wrongly — ejected considered one of his personal gamers at Michigan State.

Issues did not determine to get significantly better with No. 10 Illinois visiting Pauley Pavilion.

And so they did not within the first half. Winners of 14 of 16, the Illini constructed a 23-point lead whereas capturing 54% from the ground and 53% from 3-point vary.

"I used to be nervous earlier than the sport," Cronin stated. "I did not just like the look on their face earlier than the sport. It was nearly like that they had misplaced confidence. And we performed like that early, till we forgot about it."

The Bruins roared again, with Donovan Dent hitting the successful layup with 1 second left in extra time for a 95-94 victory. Followers stormed the courtroom to have a good time UCLA's second top-10 upset at residence. The Bruins beat then-No. 4 Purdue 69-67 on Jan. 20.

"Even once we went down large, we had been nonetheless related as a workforce within the huddles," Dent stated. "We simply saved saying hold combating."

Donovan Dent Goes Coast-to-Coast for BUZZER-BEATING Layup, UCLA Stuns No. 10 Illinois 95–94 UCLA's protection clamped down, holding the nation's prime offensive workforce to 22% capturing in extra time and 0 of 5 from 3-point vary.

"I hope it helps our confidence," Cronin stated. "You'd hope it sends a message to them that in the event you're purchased in defensively we obtained a fantastic likelihood to win."

Dent dribbled downcourt and obtained to the rim in 4.9 seconds, splitting two Illini gamers close to the free throw line and making a transfer previous one final defender for an up-and-under basket.

"I wasn’t making layups to avoid wasting my life," he stated. "I missed like 5 in a row, so for me to get down there it was wonderful."

Dent had 14 factors, 15 assists and no turnovers in 42 minutes.

"That’s what he’s right here for," teammate Eric Dailey Jr. stated.

The Bruins (18-9, 10-6 Large Ten) had been coming off consecutive 20-plus level defeats for the primary time for the reason that 1944-45 season.

"We obtained to flush ’em," Dent stated.

Making it worse was Cronin's ejection of reserve Steven Jamerson II for committing what he believed was a grimy foul late in East Lansing, triggering a slew of unfavourable publicity. He modified his thoughts after seeing a replay and stated he apologized to Jamerson, who performed 1 1/2 minutes Saturday.

"There’s a whole lot of negativity in the direction of our program. These outdoors forces, we will’t allow them to get in," Dailey stated. "One factor we’ve been making an attempt to concentrate on is optimistic phrases towards one another, simply encouraging one another to do good. When a participant has their head down, decide them up."

The Bruins have 4 regular-season video games remaining, together with No. 9 Nebraska and two in opposition to crosstown rival Southern California. Then it is off to the Large Ten Match in Chicago.