UCLA holds off Central Florida for 75-71 win, awaits the UConn-Furman winner
Central Florida got to within three points in the final seconds, but UCLA closed things out to advance.
Central Florida coach Johnny Dawkins got a nice cheer from the crowd when the former 76er was introduced as the Knights’ head coach. But No. 7 seed UCLA controlled most of the rest of Friday evening’s opener, then held on late for a 75-71 win.
The Bruins had a handle on things from the midpoint of the first half on, and led 35-27 at halftime. Eric Dailey Jr. had 12 points, including a highlight-reel dunk, while UCLA’s defense held the No. 10 Knights’ leading scorers Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel to 4-for-11 shooting combined.
Central Florida rallied, closing UCLA’s lead to 46-43 with 14 minutes to go on a three-pointer by Devan Cambridge — a player remarkably in his seventh season of college basketball, between a COVID-19 extension and medical waivers for injuries over two seasons at Texas Tech.
The Bruins retook control after that with an 8-0 run. The margin never got less than seven until just over a minute remained, when suddenly it was down to six.
UCLA still looked to be in control, but couldn’t quite seal it. When Knights forward Jordan Burks hit a three from the corner off an inbounds play with 10.6 seconds to go to make it 72-69, the crowd erupted.
Trent Perry and Skyy Clark made sure there would be no upset, though, hitting three of their four free throws in the last 10 seconds.
“At the end of the day, just be confident,” Perry said. “Trust in the work, trust in the process. It’s something I have been doing for a living, so never lost confidence in that.”
The game was decided from the opposite line, too: Central Florida was a shocking 5-of-16. Knights big man John Bol was 0-for-5 from the line, and anyone watching could see it’s not the 7-foot-2 sophomore’s forte. But that didn’t excuse his teammates going 5-for-11.
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Burks led all scorers with 22 points. Dailey had 20 for UCLA, while Perry and Xavier Booker had 15 each.
“They fired in some tough shots, especially Burks, late,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “Crazy stuff happens in March.”
The Bruins will face the winner of Friday’s last game between No. 2 Connecticut and No. 15 Furman on Sunday. The tip time and TV channel will be announced later Friday night.