It was a pivotal moment for the coach and his team, both under pressure.
Would UCLA continue to back Mick Cronin after he tossed one of their players from the game? Or would the Bruins, perhaps feeling frustrated, give a lackluster performance in a must-win situation?
On Saturday night at Pauley Pavilion, they made a strong statement, orchestrating a significant comeback highlighted by a layup reminiscent of Tyus Edney’s iconic NCAA moment.
Donovan Dent’s layup at the buzzer in overtime led the Bruins to a thrilling 95-94 victory against No. 10 Illinois, prompting fans to rush the court as officials reviewed the play.
Receiving the inbounds pass with 4.9 seconds remaining—just a tad longer than Edney’s famous play—Dent quickly maneuvered through the defenders near the free-throw line and executed a scoop layup off the backboard for the win.
This marked a moment of redemption for UCLA (18-9 overall, 10-6 Big Ten) and for Dent, especially after he had failed to box out Illinois guard Keaton Wagler earlier, allowing Illinois to almost seal the game. Dent had a chance to clinch the game at the end of regulation but missed a 3-pointer.
Although UCLA fell behind by as many as 23 points in the first half, they began closing the gap.
Cronin faced boos during the pregame introductions, though it was unclear if the jeers came from UCLA fans or the sizable Illinois contingent in the crowd.
UCLA backup center Stephen Jamerson II had limited play time, going scoreless in two minutes of action for his first game since being thrown out for a foul by his own coach.
What does that mean?
This win was crucial for UCLA, serving two main purposes.
Firstly, it was necessary for the Bruins to reassure fans that they still supported Cronin amidst rising discontent.
Secondly, securing another Quad 1 win was vital for a team that has struggled with its NCAA Tournament prospects. With limited players contributing, UCLA is still on the bubble for tournament considerations.
Turning point
UCLA, down by 11 points early in the second half, surged with a 13-2 run, capped by Eric Daley Jr.’s dunk that gave them their first lead in the game.
At one point, the Illini struggled, missing 9 of 10 field goal attempts, while UCLA’s defense played a key role in the turnaround.
MVP
Despite nursing an ankle injury in the second half, Dent was instrumental in driving the team’s recovery.
Besides being the one to score the winning layup, Dent finished with an impressive double-double, racking up 14 points and 15 assists without a single turnover.
To the next
Next up, the Bruins will face an upset University of Southern California at home on Tuesday night, marking their first crosstown matchup of the season. The Trojans have now lost three consecutive games, including a heartbreaking defeat where they squandered a six-point lead in the final minute against Oregon on Saturday.
