The UCLA Bruins were nearly upset at the new Pauley Pavilion on Tuesday night by a hungry UC Irvine team. The two schools needed overtime to settle the game, and it was missed free throws and a couple of crucial turnovers from the Anteaters that prevented them from knocking off the No. 13 Bruins.
No. 13 UCLA vs. UC Irvine final score: Bruins win, 80-79, in overtime
UCLA avoided the major upset on Tuesday night against a sharp-shooting UCI team.
Jeff Gross
With the score tied, 67-67, and just three seconds on the clock, UCI wing Will Davis II stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to put his team ahead. He badly missed his first attempt, and after UCLA coach Ben Howland called a timeout, Davis clanked his second attempt, leading to overtime.
The two schools went back-and-forth in the extra session. UC Irvine took a 79-78 lead with less than a minute remaining on Michael Wilder's 3-pointer. Bruins point guard Larry Drew responded with a layup on the other end to give UCLA an 80-79 advantage with 17 seconds left. Wilder drove the ball down the lane and was hip checked by Drew right in front of the basket, but the referees did not blow the whistle. The final buzzer sounded, and UCLA escaped with the victory.
The Bruins will have a quick turnaround before taking on James Madison Thursday night. UCI will play Pacific the same evening.
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