UCLA Falls Short Against UConn in NCAA Tournament

PHILADELPHIA — UCLA Basketball had quite a challenge ahead, especially without its top scorer.

It began with a solid defensive effort and Xavier Booker showing off his strength in the post. But, honestly, the Bruins’ performance was marred by a series of mishaps—like missed layups and fouling opponents on three-point attempts—that made it clear they wouldn’t come out on top against UConn on Sunday night.

In the end, the undermanned UCLA team just couldn’t keep up with a deeper and more composed UConn squad.

The seventh-seeded Bruins tried hard and put up a fight until the very last moments but ultimately fell 73-57 in the NCAA Tournament’s second round at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Things got real when UCLA managed to erase most of a 12-point deficit. They even had two chances to close the gap to just two points. And—both shots missed.

Then came a crucial moment: Trent Perry fouled Braylon Mullins attempting a three-pointer, and mistakes continued with Jamar Brown and Donovan Dent also committing fouls. As a result, UConn took off on a 9-0 run, sparked by a technical foul on UCLA coach Mick Cronin. From that point on, the game seemed all but decided.

The Huskies (31-5) move on to face No. 3 seed Michigan State in the East Regional semifinals in Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, this marked the second consecutive second-round exit for the Bruins (24-12), raising questions about the future direction of the program after they missed the tournament last year.

Booker finished with 13 points, and Dent contributed 11 points along with nine assists. But many teammates struggled—Perry made only 2 of 8 attempts, and bench points amounted to a mere five.

UCLA seemed to be on the verge of a comeback midway through the second half when UConn’s Alex Karaban (who scored a career-high 27 points) hit a three-pointer, putting UConn up by 12. Yet the Bruins responded with eight straight points, with Eric Daley Jr. scoring in transition and getting fouled, bringing the score to 56-52 after Daley made his free throw.

Unfortunately for UCLA, they were again without star forward Tyler Bilodeau. He had participated in warm-ups, but a sprained knee kept him sidelined for the third straight game after his injury in the Big Ten tournament.

On a brighter note, UConn fans welcomed point guard Silas Demaree Jr. back to the court; he had missed their first-round game due to an ankle issue.

Injuries have certainly impacted both teams’ performances throughout the tournament.

If not for the setbacks, the Bruins could have faced UConn in the Elite Eight last year, had they not lost forward Jalen Clark to an Achilles injury and center Aden Bona to a shoulder injury—Bona was seen watching from the sidelines during Sunday’s game.

Recently, Cronin had told his players they were part of the worst defensive team he had coached in his 23 years. It wasn’t meant to be harsh; it was just the reality based on the stats. Yet, with renewed focus and some game adjustments, the Bruins managed a late-season turnaround, showcasing their disruptive play earlier on Sunday.

UCLA forced seven turnovers midway through the first half, which raised hopes for an upset as they took an 18-12 lead after Daley’s drive to set up a huge dunk by Booker. It felt like seeds might be swapped after that.

However, UConn’s favored status became clear as they displayed an impressive ability to succeed regardless of UCLA’s pressure. As Braylon Mullins hit a three-pointer to give his team a 35-30 lead, UConn’s coach Dan Hurley animatedly celebrated, joining the fan frenzy as his team made seven consecutive shots. They were just getting started.