UCLA Bruins’ mens basketball team (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten) leaned on clutch perimeter shooting and aggressive play in the paint on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion to fend off Northwestern (9-11, 1-8 Big Ten), winning 71–64.
The Bruins opened the game with a paint jumper from senior forward Tyler Bilodeau, but the early minutes were back-and-forth. Northwestern briefly took a one-point lead as both teams traded baskets and struggled to find consistency.
UCLA got its first momentum shift off the glass. After an offensive rebound, senior guard Donovan Dent knocked down a second-chance three to spark the team. Northwestern continued attacking inside, but UCLA’s defense tightened as the half went on.
Midway through the first period, the Bruins started to pull away. Bilodeau hit multiple threes to stretch the floor, while junior forward Eric Dailey Jr. added a fast-break layup off a turnover. Those plays helped push UCLA in front as Northwestern went cold from the field.
Northwestern hit a few threes to keep the game close, but UCLA closed the half strong. Sophomore guard Trent Perry scored efficiently in the final minutes, and a late three from fifth-year guard Jamar Brown capped a solid run. The Bruins went into the locker room with a 10-point lead.
UCLA came out of halftime with energy, extending its lead through second-chance points and fast-break scoring. Junior center Xavier Booker finished a put-back on the opening possession, and Dailey Jr. followed with a basket inside and a three to keep the Bruins ahead. Northwestern hit a few shots from deep, but UCLA stayed aggressive, with Dent scoring on a fast break and adding another layup off a turnover, while Bilodeau attacked the rim to stretch the lead.
Reflecting on the game, Bilodeau said, “I thought we had a good start there and you know at the end it got a little sloppy, I think we could have executed better for sure,” pointing to both the strong start and the late mistakes.
The Bruins built on their first-half lead with strong play in the paint and timely perimeter shooting. Booker and Dent scored on layups and fast-break opportunities, while Dailey Jr. added both a three and points in the paint. Bilodeau and Perry also contributed with outside shots and free throws, keeping the Bruins comfortably ahead.
Northwestern tried to close the gap with free throws and drives from Nick Martinelli and Jake West, but UCLA answered each run with rebounds and quick scoring. In the final minutes, the Bruins held on for a 71–64 win.
“Defensively, I thought I our guys effort was great.. If you don’t give up layups and dunks, you got a chance to stop people” said head coach Mick Cronin in the postgame interview.
Next, the Bruins will face the Ducks at an away game in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. PST.
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Featured Image via UCLA Athletics
