In a highly anticipated Big 10 showdown at Pauley Pavillon, the Associated Press Ranked No. 24 Michigan Wolverines (11-3) wrapped up their Los Angeles road game in style, defeating the No. 22 UCLA Bruins (11-3) 94-75 on Tuesday night. Despite committing 16 turnovers to UCLA’s six, Michigan’s red-hot shooting and dominance in the paint propelled them to victory. It marks the Wolverines’ first win at Pauley Pavilion since 2002, capping off a perfect week after beating USC 85-74 three days earlier.
This marked the first home game for the Bruins since returning from winter break, and the crowd was roaring. However, the game opened with Michigan’s 7-foot-1 center Vladislav Goldin decisively setting the tone. Goldin was unstoppable the whole game, scoring many of his career-high 36 points in the first half, with three highlight dunks over UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau that electrified the Wolverine’s bench. Michigan’s shooting was blistering—77% from the field and 73% from the three-point range at one point—leading to a 47-37 halftime advantage. Meanwhile, UCLA struggled offensively, shooting 41.7% overall and missing all their three-pointers in the first half, silencing the thunderous crowd.
The second half saw the Bruins mount a spirited comeback, cutting a 10-point deficit to just one after three-pointers by Bilodeau, who scored 17 points overall, and Kobe Johnson, who scored 12. Eric Dailey Jr., who finished the game with 13 points, gave UCLA its first lead off a putback at 52-51. However, Michigan’s guards, Tre Donaldson, who scored 20 points, and Nimari Burnett, who scored 17 points, answered with a barrage of threes. Burnett’s clutch shooting and Goldin’s continued dominance in the paint sealed the win for the Wolverines. Sebastian Mack for the Bruins, coming off the bench, added 17 points and seven rebounds before leaving the game with an injury late in the second half.
The Bruins’ shooting woes and inability to stop Michigan in the paint ultimately doomed their chances. UCLA finished the game shooting just 10% from the three-point range and 68% from the free-throw line, their lowest percentage of the season. They were also out-rebounded 35-27. Michigan finished the game, shooting 62% from the field and 54% from the three-point line, making fifteen three-pointers as a team.
With the win, Michigan improved to 4-0 in Big Ten play, while UCLA fell to 2-2. The Wolverines head back to Ann Arbor with momentum and a strong statement about their conference title aspirations as they prepare to face Washington on Sunday. With losses in this game, and against Nebraska in the game prior, UCLA will need to regroup and address their struggles defending the paint and converting shots as they battle against Maryland on Friday.
Photo Courtesy of Jan Kim Lim, UCLA Athletics
Photo Courtesy of Jan Kim Lim, UCLA Athletics
Photo Courtesy of Jan Kim Lim, UCLA Athletics
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Featured Image Courtesy of Jan Kim Lim, UCLA Athletics
