UCLA’s Exciting Comeback Falls Short in Double-Overtime Loss to Indiana
In a thrilling contest on Saturday afternoon, the UCLA men’s basketball team faced Indiana at Pauley Pavilion, ultimately falling short in a 98-97 double overtime defeat. The Bruins, now 15-7 overall and 7-4 in conference play, suffered their first home loss of the season.
With just 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation, freshman Trent Perry hit a dramatic three-pointer from the top of the key, tying the game and forcing overtime. However, as the clock winded down in the second overtime, Indiana’s Trent Sisley was fouled on an inbounds play and made the first of two free throws, giving the Hoosiers a one-point lead. Although Sisley missed the second attempt, the game concluded with UCLA unable to secure the rebound.
Perry finished the match with 25 points and seven rebounds, while Eric Dailey Jr. contributed 15 points. Their performances were pivotal, but not enough to overcome a resolute Indiana squad.
Perry also missed a critical shot— a 15-foot fallaway jumper— as time expired in the first overtime, which ended in an 84-84 tie. Dailey managed to tie the game again at 97-97 with a jumper in the lane, leaving only 12 seconds in the second overtime. However, a controversial call indicated that UCLA touched the ball last during a rebound, leading to a review that upheld the decision.
In a fierce back-and-forth encounter, UCLA managed to erase a ten-point deficit within the last 1:50 of regulation. The game featured 13 ties and 15 lead changes, underscoring its competitive nature.
For Indiana, Nick Dorn led the scoring with 26 points, while Lamar Wilkerson added 24. This victory allowed Indiana to even the all-time series against UCLA at 7-7.
Historically, UCLA holds the NCAA record for the most national championships with 11 titles, including ten under legendary coach John Wooden from 1964 to 1975. Indiana ranks fifth all-time with five championships, the latest of which was in 1987 under Bob Knight.
In a brief interlude during the game, Bob Chesney, named UCLA’s football coach in December, rallied Bruins fans with an inspiring message. “There’s nothing average about this place, and I didn’t come here to be average,” he declared, emphasizing his ambition for the program.
