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Gonzaga outlasts UCLA in another NCAA tournament thriller

March 24, 2023

LAS VEGAS — Julian Strawther hit a deep 3-pointer with 7.2 seconds left to answer a 3-pointer by UCLA’s Amari Bailey, lifting Gonzaga to a wild 79-76 NCAA tournament victory over the Bruins on Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The Bruins (31-6), the West Region’s No. 2 seed, stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the final 1:05 and took a 76-75 lead on Bailey’s 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left.

The Zags (31-5) brought the ball up the floor and Strawther stepped into a 3-pointer, sending Gonzaga fans to their feet.

Gonzaga’s Malachi Smith stole the ball from UCLA’s Tyger Campbell, but Strawther only hit one of two free throws at the other end, giving the Bruins a chance.

Campbell’s 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the back of the rim, sending the Zags rushing off the bench and into the Elite Eight against fourth-seeded Connecticut on Saturday.

It’s the second time Gonzaga has beaten UCLA on a last-second shot in the NCAA tournament. Jalen Suggs crushed the Bruins the last time, banking in a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the Zags to the 2021 national championship game.

The flurry of a finish started off more like a prize fight, each team taking its turn landing blows in a game of wild swings. UCLA led by 13 at the half, but Gonzaga went ahead by 10 with 2:30 left in the game with UCLA in the midst of an 11-minute field goal drought. The Bruins rallied from there to regain the lead.

When Strawther hit a 3-pointer with 4:07 it gave the Bulldogs a four-point lead that seemed like a 40-point margin as UCLA was enduring a scoring drought of 11 consecutive misses and a span of more than 11 minutes without a field goal.

It felt like a dagger.

Starting guard Jaylen Clark in a boot. Starting center Adem Bona in street clothes. The Bruins were down two starters and so were their spirits.

However, in a whirlwind of magic that makes March Madness must-see TV, UCLA mounted its comeback in the final moments that culminated with Bailey’s go-ahead 3-pointer.

Unfazed, Strawther responded with the real dagger from the edge of the midcourt logo to send half of the 18,544 fans in attendance into pandemonium.

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Bona’s absence allowed Gonzaga center Drew Timme to feast inside – he finished with 36 points on 16-of-24 shooting with 13 rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes. Strawther finished with 16 points.

The Bulldogs outscored UCLA 30-8 from the 15:25 mark until the 2:38 mark of the second half.

The loss marked UCLA’s third loss in as many seasons to Gonzaga, and the second straight season the Bruins have made a Sweet 16 exit.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 29 points on 12-of-25 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds in his final game as a Bruin. Bailey finished with 19 points, scoring 13 in the first half. Tyger Campbell added 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting in the loss.

Much more to come on this story …

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Orange County Register

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Gonzaga outlasts UCLA in another NCAA tournament thriller

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