UCLA appeared set for a blowout win over Northwestern, however then the Wildcats deployed a swarming press and roared again. The Bruins survived the late surge to eke out a 73-69 win, avoiding a catastrophic collapse.
The groups went back-and-forth all through the second half till the Bruins went on a 12-2 run. Again-to-back dunks by Tyler Bilodeau gave UCLA a 68-54 lead with 3:07 remaining. Determined, the Wildcats pressured the size of the courtroom, trapping the Bruins and forcing a trio of expensive turnovers.
Level guard Dylan Andrews threw away a pair of passes, each of which become dunks from Northwestern’s Ty Berry. Then, with 26 seconds left, Bilodeau traveled and Northwestern capitalized on the following possession when Berry minimize backdoor for a layup that narrowed the rating to 68-67.
Berry scored 9 factors over the past 2:13 to provide the Wildcats an opportunity. Northwestern had a shot to tie it at 69, however ahead Nick Martinelli turned the ball over on a drive to the basket after which K.J. Windham dedicated a transparent path foul towards Eric Dailey Jr. Dailey hit each foul pictures to provide UCLA a four-point benefit with eight seconds left, basically sealing the sport.
Bilodeau, who leads UCLA with 14.1 factors per recreation, scored 19 factors to guide UCLA on Monday. Dailey added 12 and Spanish middle Aday Mara had his second double-double of the season (11 factors, 10 rebounds). UCLA is 7-0 this season when Mara scores in double digits.
Berry led the Wildcats with 22 on Senior Night time, whereas Martinelli had 20. Northwestern (16-14 total, 7-12 Massive Ten) sits simply half a recreation up on Iowa and Southern California for fifteenth place within the Massive Ten, which is the ultimate qualifying spot for the Massive Ten Event.
UCLA has gained 10 of its final 13 video games and improved to 8-3 in video games determined by 5 factors or fewer. The Bruins (21-9, 12-7 Big Ten) sit half a recreation again of Wisconsin, Maryland and Purdue for the ultimate double-bye within the Massive Ten Event.
Northwestern noticed its three-game successful streak come to an finish and finishes at No. 13 Maryland on Saturday.
UCLA wraps up the common season at residence towards USC on Saturday.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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