UCLA edges No. 9 Michigan State 63-61 in a thrilling finish, as Eric Dailey Jr. delivered the decisive basket over two defenders with just 7 seconds remaining. This victory marked another milestone for the Bruins, showcasing their resilience on Tuesday night.
Skyy Clark contributed significantly, scoring 14 points, while Tyler Bilodeau added 13 for the Bruins (17-6, 8-4 Big Ten). This win not only extended their winning streak to six games but also highlighted their ability to triumph against ranked opponents.
As the clock wound down, Jaden Akins had a chance to secure victory for Michigan State, but his potential game-winning 3-pointer clanged off the front of the rim, leaving him in despair. Notably, Magic Johnson, a Hall of Famer and proud Michigan State alum, was visibly engaged during the nail-biting final moments.
Akins led the Spartans (18-4, 9-2) with 15 points, serving as their only double-digit scorer in a game that saw fluctuating momentum.
The contest was tightly contested, with the score tied three times in the final seven minutes after UCLA relinquished an 11-point lead in front of another legendary alum, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
With the score knotted at 61-61, Jaxon Kohler had a chance to put the Spartans ahead but missed a close-range shot, only to be called for traveling after securing his own offensive rebound with 23 seconds left.
Takeaways
Michigan State faced a tough road trip, suffering two losses in Los Angeles, including a 70-64 defeat against USC that ended their impressive 13-game winning streak. Their offensive struggles persisted, particularly with inconsistent 3-point shooting.
On the other hand, UCLA improved their record to 6-1 in closely contested games decided by five points or fewer. They also showcased a strong home-court advantage, boasting a 12-1 record at home.
Key moment
A pivotal moment occurred when UCLA’s Lazar Stefanovic drained a 3-pointer, giving the Bruins a brief 61-59 lead before Kohler managed to tie the game again. Despite missed opportunities from Bilodeau and Aday Mara, the Spartans faltered with a shot-clock violation with just 1:13 remaining.
Key stat
During a challenging stretch, the Bruins went 0-for-10 in a seven-and-a-half-minute span, allowing the Spartans to outscore them 13-4 and take a 59-58 lead.
Up next
Looking ahead, Michigan State will host Oregon on Saturday, while UCLA prepares to face Penn State at home, completing a three-game homestand.
