Gonzaga Bulldogs 79 vs 76 UCLA Bruins summary: stats and highlights | NCAA Sweet 16
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are one step closer to their first ever NCAA National Championship after defeating the UCLA Bruins in a Sweet 16 game that came down to the wire. Drew Timme set a tournament career high with 36 points in the 79-76 victory from Las Vegas.
UCLA difuse Timme’s hot start
The two teams had met in the Big Dance before and given us some tremendous finishes, like Jalen Suggs halfcourt buzzer beater in the Final Four to push Gonzaga to the National Championship two years ago, so we knew to expect fireworks.
All eyes were on Drew Timme, who was playing in his fourth consecutive Sweet 16, and he did not disappoint. The Senior came off the block on the money and had 15 points in the first eight minutes of the game.
That wouldn’t keep the Bruins from stretching their lead to double digits after some sloppy Gonzaga play resulted in nine first half turnovers while UCLA cashed in with 15 points off of those turnovers. A 15-4 run at the end of the first half put the 11 time national champs in the drivers seat, up by 13 going into the final 20 minutes.
Bruins go cold in second half
Mark Few’s side looked like a different team coming out of the halftime break. Timme got the help that he so desperately needed in the first half as the Bulldogs took care of the ball and locked down on the defensive end.
Malachi Smith and Julian Swarther came to the aid of their Naismith Trophy candidate, as both had 12 second half points. Smith scored the bucket to take the lead from UCLA and Swarther would eventually sentence the Bruins.
The Bruins were not only missing Jaylen Clark, who is a defensive mastermind, but also lost Adem Bona in the last game against Northwestern. That did two things, made stopping the Zags almost impossible and wore UCLA so much they didn’t make a field goal for 11 of the final 12 minutes of the game.
UCONN up next
In those 11 minutes, UCLA scored just 4 free throws but somehow still almost won the game. Down by nine with 1:23 on the clock, Jaime Jaquez Jr. broke the spell without a field goal with an and one to bring the Bruins to life. Another Jaquez Jr. bucket moments later would bring the Zags to within two points with a half minute to go in that game. Timme got sent to the line, and Gonzaga’s all time leading scorer missed both free throws to open the door for the UCLA comeback.
Amari Bailey went down the court and drilled a stone cold three to take the lead in a miraculous turn of events, but Swarther sealed it with a spot up three from the halfcourt logo to send Gonzaga to the Elite 8 where they will sqare up against the UCONN Huskies.
Absolute pandemonium in the Zags locker room after the game but Mark Few knows the party in Vegas will have to wait until after Saturday if they can beat the UCONN Huskies.
We said it before the game, Juilan Strawther is a potential lotter pick, and this game winning three ball from the LOGO may just skyrocket his draft stock.
UCLA were down 9 with 1:23 left on the clock, they hadn't made a field goal in over 10 minutes but Jaime Jaquez brought them back to life and after two missed FTs from Timme it was Amari Bailey who gave the Bruins a miraculous lead.
UCLA went over 11 minutes without a field goal, and scored just 4 points during that span, which allowed Smith and the Zags to stretch the lead out to double digits.
Timme needed some help, and got it in the second half, but that didn't mean that he was going to quiet down any. Instead he would go on to set a personal Tournament record with 36 points and added 13 rebounds for good measure.
Malachi Smith was a crucial part of the comeback for Gonzaga. He had 12 points in the second half, and gave the Bulldogs their first lead since early in the first half with this floater.
Julian Strawther had a slow first half, but came on in the second half and would end up icing the game for the Zags.
Forget about fundamentals, Timme showing some style with the spin cycle in the lane and the lay up at the rim.
UCLA built up a 13 point halftime lead due to some costly turnovers in the first half. The Zags gave it away 9 times which led to 15 points off turnovers for the Bruins, but they came back and took care of the ball in the second half, and of course continued to feed the beast, Drew Timme.
The Bruins were without two of their best defenders during Thursday night's game, and Timme exploited the paint. There was no one on the UCLA roster who could stop him.
What a game it was from Las Vegas! Let's take you back on what was a memorable night from SIn City.
Drew Timme got hot and didn't cool off. He had 15 points in the first eight minutes of the game, including his fourth three pointer of the season.
Campbell launches the buzzer beater from half court and it hits off the back iron and doesn't fall!
THE ZAGS ARE GOING TO THE ELITE 8!!!
Strawther at the line after the foul and he makes the second of two.
Campbell lost the ball on the way up the court, and the Zags get the steal!
SWARTHER PULLS UP FROM THE LOGO AND SNAP THE NET TO TAKE THE LEAD!!!!
BAILEY NAILS THE THREE BALL AND MIRACULOUSLY THE BRUINS ARE LEADING THIS GAME AFTER TRAILING BY 9 WITH 1:23 LEFT IN THE GAME!!!!
Timme to the line after the foul on Singleton and he missed both!!!
Jaquez drive to the rack and gets the lay up! It's a two point game!
UCLA with a quick foul Watson with 41.6 on the clock and he goes to the line and splits the two FTs.
Jaquez scoops it under the arm of Timme who picked up the foul and sends the Bruin to the line for an AND 1 opportunity!!! FT is good!! We have a three point game!
Bad give away from Smith who looked to pass out of the press, and turned it over. UCLA still have a chance with 48 seconds left.
Singelton fouled by Watson and he hits both at the stripe.
Strawther fouled by McClendon and he hits both FTs.
Jaquez with a huge drive AND 1 after the four on Smith. FT is good from Jaquez with 1:14 to go in the game.
Campbell at the line, and he hits one of two FTs.
Smith drills a three ball from the top of the key and that might have buried the Bruins! He's got 12 in the half!
Timme going to the line out of the timeout after the Jaquez foul and he hits one of two FTs. That's 34 for the big man.
Huge offensive board out by the sidelines from Timme leads to a three ball from Strawther!!!
Timeout out UCLA with 4:07 left in the second half!
Bailey to the line after the foul on Smith, and he hit sone of two FTs and we are under 5 from Vegas.
Timme going right at the defenders and putting it up and over everyone!!!
Smith on the turnaround push shot in the lane, he's got 9 in the second half!
Jaquez gets to the line after the the Gregg foul, and he hits both FTs to tie this ball game up.
We are at the under 8 minute timeout from Vegas and the Zags have take control of this game. UCLA hasn't scored in more than 4:30 minutes.
Smith gets the floater to go in the lane and Gonzaga have taken the lead for the first time in the second half!
Smith at the line after the foul on Etienne, he hits one of two FTs on the one-and-one.
Smith follows his own miss and gets the put back to go. Gonzaga have taken this game over on the offensive boards!
Timme at the line after the foul on Jaquez, and he hits both to break his personal record in the NCAA Tournament with 33 points.
We are at the under 12 timeout with the Bruins hanging on to a five point lead.
Strawther puts his head down and gets to the basket for a finger roll.
Jaquez showing some moves in the post to get the lay up.
Timme on the jumper after getting the offensive board.
Andrews drills a much needed three ball to stop the Gonzaga run!
Timme on the piroette and he dropped his defender before laying it up and in! He's got 29 on the night!!!
Timeout UCLA who have seen their 13 halftime lead cut to 4. Less then 14 to go here from Vegas.
Timme on the turnaround and the tough shot off the glass from an acute angle!
Watson missed the FT out of the timeout, but Smith got the rebound and the put back!
Watson gets the bucket under the iron and the foul! He'll go to the line after the TV timeout with 15:25 to go in the game.
Bailey on the FT line jumper and that's 14 for him in the Sweet 16.
Offensive board for Timme and he gets the put back to go. That's 25 for Timme on the night.
Etienne at the line after a foul on Strawther. He hits both FTs.
Timme gets the push shot from the FT line and he's got 23 tonight.
Jaquez in the corner for three after some good movement around the perimeter!
Timme with the push shot from outside the lane and he continues to lead the Zags on the offensive end.
Jaquez with the steal and slam off the inbound! 10 TOs for Gonzaga tonight.
Offensive rebound for the Zags leads to a triple from Strawther!
WE ARE BACK IN ACTION FOR THE SECOND HALF FROM VEGAS!
Bailey and the Bruins went on a 15-4 run at the end of the first half to stretch the lead out to 13.
When Tyger Campbell isn't creating with his passing, he weaves into the lane and punishes you with the jumper.
Timme had 15 points before the 10 minute mark, and finished with 19 in the first half. He needs some help, though. Watson and Sallis have 5 points and are the second leading scorers for the Zags. The Bulldogs have turned the ball over 9 times, UCLA just once.
Bailey had a flurry of 9 straight points out of the first TV timeout, to put the Bruins ahead.
Drew Timme came out of the gate hot, and even hit a three ball! It's only his fourth three pointer of the season, but what better time to try than the Sweet 16?
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST HALF HERE FROM VEGAS!!!
UCLA close out the half on a 15-4 run and they lead by 13 with 20 minutes to go.
Campbell gets to the elbow out of the timeout and and strokes the jumper.
Timme finally breaks the Bruins run with a dash to the rack and a finger roll at the rim.
Timeout UCLA with 1:02 to go in the half.
Bailey getting to the line after the foul on Bolton and he hits both FTs to extend the run to 13-2.
Bailey on the turnaround jumper int he lane and he's got 11 first half points and the Bruins have their largest lead of the game.
Timeout with 3:05 to go in the first half with the Bruins up 9.
Jaiquez following up his out shot and gets the tip it to fall. UCLA are on a 9-2 run in the last two minutes.
Jaquez got a wide open path to the basket and gets the easiest lay up he'll get all tournament.
Timme with his back to the basket, danced his way along the baseline and finished with a lay up.
Campbell drills a three ball after a Sallis turnover!
Jaiquez finally breaks a scoreless run that stretched to three minutes with a steal and score.
Sallis picked up the defensive rebound and went coast to coast racing past everyone and got the reverse lay up to drop AND 1!!! FT is good for the three point play!
We are heading to a timeout here from Vegas!
UCLA are up, but the Zags are hanging around with under 7 to go in the first half.
Watson strings the three ball after trailing the play in transition!
Sallis getting to the bucket and gets the finger roll to go.
Jaquez comes out of the timeout and hits the fader over Timme in the lane.
Campbell getting back into the paint, drawing the defense and dumping it of to Jaquez who found himself all alone for the easy lay up!
Timeout Gonzaga with 10:04 to go in the first half.
Singleton drills a three ball off the Campbell kickout!
Strawther gets into the paint and gets the floater to fall.
Campbell weaving into the paint and his the short jumper out of the timeout.
Bailey soaring to the rim on the drive and he has 11 points, all came in a flurry after the first TV timeout.
We are at the second TV timeout with 11:10 to go in the first half,
Timme going back to work underneath and he's got 15 not even 10 minutes into this game!
Jaquez with the leaner from outside of the lane and he has his first bucket of the night.
The Zags with a bit of defense, forcing the turnover that led to the Smith lay up in tranisition.
Timme on the tip in surrounded by four UCLA Bruins looking for the rebound and he's in double digits already!
Campbell to the line after the foul on Hickman and he hits both FTs.
Bailey penetrates, blows by his defender and lays it off the crystal. He's got 9 straight UCLA points.
Timme driving right down main street, and gets the lay up.
Bailey puts it on the deck and lay it off the glass with a drive on the right side.
Bailey with a three ball and he's come out of the timeout scorching!
Timme gets it back down low and hits the tough shot falling to the hardwood, but he got it go off the glass.
Bailey out of the timeout and off the dribble from 15 feet away.
We are at our first TV timeout with 15:55 to go in the opening half from Vegas. Timme is warming up out of the gate. He's got 7 quick points.
Timme showing the mid range and he hits the jumper off the assist from Bolton.
Watson gets a lay up after Timme drew the defense.
Campbell pulls up on the jumper and the UCLA point guard is on the the board.
Timme with a three ball!!! He's shot four all year, but he drilled that one!
Timme with a three ball!!! He's shot four all year, but he drilled that one!
Timme on the board for the first time after the Zags go high low and he turns that into a lay.
Jaquez skips it across the lane for Nwuba for the lay up on the baseline.
Stevenson starts the Bruins off with a three ball on the wing, despite coming into the game with a banged up ankle.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM LAS VEGAS!!!
The winner earns a matchup with UCONN on Saturday in the Elite 8!
UCLA Tourney history
This is a team that needs no introduction in this tournament, or even the most casual basketball fan. If you follow the game, you know this program and it’s rich, illustrious history. They have won a record 11 National Titles, been to 19 Finals Fours and advanced past the Sweet 16 23 times. Their glory day came in the 60s and 70s when John Wooden led the program to 10 of their 11 championships. Their last one came in 1995, and the closest they have come since then is that heartbreaker of a Final Four loss against these Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Gonzaga Tourney history
Gonzaga is probably the most successful NCAA Tournament team that has never won a title. Mark Few has taken his team to the Big Dance in each of his 24 seasons since he took over with the Zags before the turn of the century. In that time they have been to 13 Sweet 16s including eight straight and gone to the Final Four twice. In both of those trips to the Final Four they made the Championship game, but in 2017 fell to the North Carolina and in 2021 they lost to the Baylor Bears.
UCONN back in Elite 8
We may have 40 minutes to determine a winner in the UCLA-Gonzaga game, but we know who will be expecting them in the next round. The UCONN Huskies are on to the Elite 8 after blowing out the Arkansas Razorbacks They took the early lead and were relentless until the finish line.
Star watch: Zags
Look no further than Gonzaga big man Drew Timme for tonight’s star watch. The senior star is back in the tournament, and shining as bright as ever. This season he averaged 21.1 points and 7.8 rebounds, and in his last edition of the Tournament, he’s getting 24.5 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists a game. Junior, Julian Strawther, is playing the side kick role to Timme, but in the first round of the tournament he was the super hero, going for 28 points and 10 rebounds against Grand Canyon. He chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds in the narrow victory over TCU.
Star watch: Bruins
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Has been the Bruins front man all year. He is averaging 17.5 points a game and snatching more and 8 boards a game, and in this tournament he has posted 20.5 points and 8 rebounds a game. Point guard Tyger Campbell averages over 13 a game and is dishing five assists a game, but the Bruins will be without their slasher Jaylen Clark who averages 13 points, but hasn’t played since the end of the regular season.
What a way to start the weekend
We just witnessed one of the great games and great performances in NCAA Tournament history! The Kansas State Wildcats are heading to the next round after downing the Michgans State Spartans in overtime! Markquis Nowell sprained his ankle in the second half, had to be helped off the court, came back and lead his team to a 98-93 victory scoring 20 points and dishing out a tourney record 19 assists!!!
Showcasing lotto picks
There are a couple of potential Lottery Picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, but before the stars of tomorrow look to the future they have the biggest game of their lives coming up tonight. Julian Strawther and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are both on Jen Bubel's Top 10 players to watch in the Sweet 16.
Unforgettable Final Four finish two years ago
Who could forget the memorable matchup between these two teams two years ago? UCLA And Gonzaga met in the Final Four in Indianapolis, and after Johnny Juzang tied the game up with three seconds to go, it was Jalen Suggs’ turn to drop the mic. He crossed halfcourt and launched up a prayer that was answered to seal one of the all-time Big Dance moments. Gonzaga would go on to lose to the Baylor Bears in the title game, but Suggs will forever be remembered for his buzzer beater that downed the Bruins.
How they got here: UCLA
The UCLA Bruins have bounced back from heart break in their conference championship with to big wins to start the NCAA Tournament. After Dylan Andrews missed a buzzer beating three pointer that would have won the Pac-12 Tourney, the Bruins came into the Big Dance and downed UNC-Ashville, 86-53. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led UCLA with 17 points in the blowout win that advanced them to the next round and set up a match up with Northwestern. The Wildcats gave UCLA all they could handle, despite trailing from wire to wire. The Bruins jumped out to a 13 point first half lead, but Northwestern fought back to tie it up midway through the second half, and kept it within a five point game for the final 10 minutes. David Singleton twisted his ankle at the end of the game, but it turned out to be just a scare as Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished off the Wildcats at the end of his game high 24 point performance.
How they got here: Zags
Yet again the Zags are coming into the Tournament as one of the dark horses in the tournament after winning the WCC. After stomping St. Mary’s in the conference championship, they squared up against Grand Canyon and despite a rough start, had a comfortable win over the Lopes thanks to 28 points from Julian Strawther. It was their Tourney vet, Drew Timme who came through in the clutch against the TCU Horned Frogs in a tight game that went down to the wire.
We are live from Las Vegas
Hello everyone and welcome to the City of Sin where the Gonzaga Bulldogs come in looking to keep the dream alive. They have been on the cusp of a national title for decades but have yet to break that championship barrier, but tonight they have a chance to get one step closer to making program history. It’s not going to come easy against a UCLA team that has history on it’s side. The Bruins can add to their already record setting trophy closet this year, but they will have to get past a Bulldog squad that are famished for Final Four glory.
Gonzaga vs. UCLA
Oh how sweet it is! It’s Sweet 16 time in from Las Vegas, and we have a battle of NCAA Tournament heavyweights as the 2 seed UCLA Bruins and the 3 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs prepare for battle in the West. Only one will move on in this do or die showdown and AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, scores and highlights of tonight’s can’t miss matchup from T-Mobile Arena.