UCLA Falls to Arizona as Jaden Bradley Shines Late
In a thrilling Pac-12 showdown, the UCLA Bruins faced a dramatic late-game collapse against the Arizona Wildcats. UCLA entered the contest with a 3-1 record, while Arizona was undefeated at 4-0. The game concluded with a 69-65 victory for the Wildcats at the Intuit Dome.
Key Players Shine Late
Arizona’s Jaden Bradley emerged as a decisive force, scoring seven consecutive points in the final two minutes. This performance led to a nostalgic chant of “U of A! U of A!” echoing through the arena.
Game Overview
- Final Score: Arizona 69, UCLA 65
- UCLA Record: 3-1
- Arizona Record: 4-0
The Bruins held an eight-point lead with just over seven minutes remaining. However, their offense faltered, and their defense failed to contain Bradley during crucial moments. UCLA coach Mick Cronin lamented the lack of execution, stating, “We didn’t execute down the stretch. They did.”
Controversial Moments
A questionable defensive lapse allowed Bradley an open three-pointer, which shifted the game’s momentum. Cronin pointed out that his team’s failure to rotate defensively contributed significantly to their downfall. As the Wildcats took the lead, Bradley’s driving layup pushed Arizona ahead by four points with less than 30 seconds left.
UCLA’s Struggles
UCLA’s leading scorer, Tyler Bilodeau, had a standout performance with 19 points but could not prevent the late-game struggles. The Bruins combined for 16 turnovers, with 12 occurring in the first half. This sluggish start handed Arizona opportunities to capitalize.
- Top Performers:
- Tyler Bilodeau: 19 points
- Donovan Dent: 11 points, 8 assists
- Jaden Bradley (Arizona): 15 points
- Anthony Dell’Orso (Arizona): 20 points
Injuries and Impact
Coach Cronin noted that Donovan Dent’s recent muscle strain impacted his performance. Dent managed 11 points but struggled with shooting accuracy. Meanwhile, Eric Dailey Jr. was still adjusting from a knee injury that sidelined him for nearly a month.
Looking Ahead
UCLA and Arizona are set to meet again next season in Las Vegas, marking another opportunity to reignite their fierce rivalry. As the Bruins reflect on this loss, they will focus on improving their defensive strategy and offensive coordination in the coming games, aiming to avoid similar late-game failures.
After the game, Dailey summed up the team’s feelings, expressing the desire to learn from this experience. “Definitely just feel this,” he said, underscoring the importance of motivation and resilience in the face of adversity.
