The UCLA Bruins continued their impressive home performances by defeating the No. 9 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers with a score of 72-52 on Tuesday night. This victory marked another example of how the Bruins thrive at Pauley Pavilion, where their energy intensifies and the momentum consistently favors them.
With this win, UCLA improved its record to 20-11 overall and 12-7 in the Big Ten, while Nebraska fell to 25-5 and 14-5. This triumph also represented the Bruins” third home victory over a top-10 opponent within a six-week time frame, having previously edged out No. 4 Purdue with a last-second three-pointer by Tyler Bilodeau and outlasted No. 10 Illinois in overtime thanks to a coast-to-coast layup by Donovan Dent.
Unlike their recent road loss to Minnesota, where defensive lapses plagued their game, the Bruins were resolute in their defensive efforts against the Cornhuskers. They limited Nebraska to just 38.8 percent shooting from the field and a mere 20.8 percent from beyond the arc, handing the Cornhuskers their most significant defeat of the season. Before this game, Nebraska had not lost any match by double digits.
UCLA”s remarkable home record of 17-1 was only marred by a double-overtime loss to Indiana. However, the reality that they cannot compete at Pauley Pavilion during the NCAA Tournament is a disappointing aspect for the team and its fans.
This victory also served to enhance UCLA”s standing for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, marking their fourth crucial Quad 1 win. It was a fitting farewell for senior players Bilodeau, Dent, Skyy Clark, Jamar Brown, Steven Jamerson II, Anthony Peoples Jr., Jack Seidler, and Evan Manjikian in their final home game.
A turning point came when Nebraska narrowed the gap to 10 points with just under seven minutes remaining. In response, Trent Perry hit a crucial pull-up jumper, which was followed by a three-pointer from Bilodeau, restoring a more comfortable lead for the Bruins.
Perry, who had struggled in his previous game, bounced back with a standout performance, scoring 19 points while shooting eight of 15 from the field and three of six from three-point range. His play included a corner three that extended the Bruins” lead to 15 points in the second half.
Looking ahead, the Bruins will wrap up their regular season on Saturday against their rivals, USC, at the Galen Center. The Trojans will be without star guard Chad Baker-Mazara, who departed from the team in an unexpected late-season move.
