Two-seed UCLA’s late comeback attempt against third-seeded Gonzaga backfires as Julian Strawther’s dagger 3-pointer from the LOGO with seven seconds left wins it for the Bulldogs 79-76… sending them to the Elite Eight
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After going 11 minutes without scoring a single field goal, the UCLA Bruins staged a huge comeback in the final minutes. However, a dagger 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining resulted in a 79-76 win for Gonzaga.
The Bruins trailed 72-62 with 2:30 left in the game, the Bruins staged a huge comeback with a 14-3 run.
With 13 seconds left, Amari Bailey hit a dagger 3-pointer to take the lead 76-75 – but with seven seconds left, Gonzaga’s Julian Strawther hit a deep shot from the logo to go back to 78 -76.
Gonzaga’s Malachi Smith stole the ball from UCLA’s Tyger Campbell, but Strawther hit only 1 of 2 free throws on the other side, giving the Bruins a chance. Campbell’s 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the back of the rim, sending the Zags running off the bench
In the final, they await the University of Connecticut Huskies, who defeated Arkansas 86-65 earlier in the day.
An impressive last-ditch comeback attempt for UCLA wasn’t enough to survive Gonzaga
After a short sprint comeback attempt, Amari Bailey (5) hit a 3-pointer to put UCLA ahead
But Julian Strawther hit a shot from far off the logo to place the dagger in UCLA’s heap
Strawther’s shot, off a drop pass, was reminiscent of Villanova’s Kris Jenkins’ shot to clinch the 2016 national championship.
It is the second time Gonzaga has beaten UCLA by a last second in the NCAA Tournament. Jalen Suggs crushed the Bruins last, hitting a running three-pointer at the buzzer to send the Zags to the 2021 national championship game.
The flurry of a finish started out more like a prizefight, with each team taking turns throwing punches in a game of wild swings. UCLA led by 13 at the half, but Gonzaga led by 10 with 2:30 left in the game. After that, UCLA didn’t make a shot for over 12 minutes and still rallied to lead 76-75 with 13 seconds left.
The Zags were led by Drew Timme, who had 36 points for his record 10th NCAA Tournament game with 20 points.
Gonzaga also turned up the defensive pressure after UCLA’s hot-shooting first half to lead with eight, but Jaime Jaquez Jr. Timme then missed two free throws, making Bailey’s shot a good one.
Fortunately for the Zags, Strawther was on a roll with his long three-pointer and sent them to the Elite Eight for the fifth time under coach Mark Few.
Jaquez finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds.
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