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Down 23 Points And Reeling All Week, UCLA Finds An OT Escape Against No. 10 Illinois
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Down 23 Points And Reeling All Week, UCLA Finds An OT Escape Against No. 10 Illinois

#UCLA #Illinois #Donovan Dent #College Basketball #OT Victory #NCAA Tournament #Mick Cronin

📌 Key Takeaways

  • UCLA overcame a 23-point deficit to defeat No. 10 Illinois in overtime
  • Donovan Dent scored the winning basket with 1 second left in overtime
  • The Bruins were coming off consecutive 20-point losses for the first time since 1944-45
  • Coach Mick Cronin had faced controversy after ejecting his own player at Michigan State

📖 Full Retelling

Donovan Dent hit a dramatic game-winning layup with one second remaining in overtime, lifting UCLA to a stunning 95-94 victory over No. 10 Illinois at Pauley Pavilion on February 22, 2026, as the Bruins recovered from a 23-point deficit and a week filled with consecutive road losses and controversy. The Bruins had been reeling all week, suffering consecutive blowout losses on the road, including an embarrassing defeat at Michigan State where coach Mick Cronin ejected one of his own players in a moment he later admitted was a mistake. Facing the No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini, who had won 14 of their last 16 games and were shooting 54% from the field, UCLA looked destined for another defeat as they trailed by 23 points at halftime. However, the Bruins mounted an incredible comeback, fueled by their defensive intensity which held Illinois to just 22% shooting in overtime and 0-for-5 from beyond the arc. Donovan Dent, who had been struggling with his layups throughout the game, delivered the most crucial shot of his career, dribbling coast-to-coast in 4.9 seconds and splitting two defenders to score the winning basket with just one second remaining. The victory marked UCLA's second top-10 upset at home this season, following their 69-67 win over then-No. 4 Purdue on January 20. Dent finished with an impressive stat line of 14 points, 15 assists, and no turnovers in 42 minutes of action, earning praise from his teammates for clutch performance when it mattered most. 'That's what he's here for,' said teammate Eric Dailey Jr. 'Even when we went down big, we were still connected as a team in the huddles. We just kept saying keep fighting,' Dent explained about the team's resilience. The Bruins (18-9, 10-6 Big Ten) had faced significant pressure entering this game, having lost consecutive games by 20-plus points for the first time since the 1944-45 season, with their NCAA tournament hopes hanging in the balance. Coach Cronin expressed hope that this dramatic victory would help restore his team's confidence moving forward. 'I was worried before the game,' he admitted. 'I didn't like the look on their face before the game. It was almost like they had lost confidence. And we played like that early, until we forgot about it.' With four regular-season games remaining, including matchups against No. 9 Nebraska and two against crosstown rival Southern California, followed by the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, the Bruins know their season is on the line. 'Our season's on the line right now,' Dent acknowledged. 'We're in desperation.' The win not only provided a much-needed boost for UCLA's tournament hopes but also served as a statement that despite recent turmoil, this team still has the fight and resilience to compete at the highest level.

🏷️ Themes

College Basketball, Comeback Victory, NCAA Tournament Hopes

📚 Related People & Topics

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Donovan Dent

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Illinois:

👤 Michigan State University 1 shared
👤 College basketball 1 shared
🌐 Overtime 1 shared
🌐 Midwestern United States 1 shared
🌐 Tornado 1 shared
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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This victory is significant because UCLA overcame a 23-point deficit and recent team turmoil to secure a crucial upset against a top-10 opponent, potentially revitalizing their NCAA Tournament hopes. The win demonstrates resilience and could restore team confidence after a difficult week marked by blowout losses and negative publicity.

Context & Background

  • UCLA suffered consecutive 20-plus point road losses for the first time since the 1944-45 season
  • Coach Mick Cronin wrongly ejected a player in the previous game, creating negative publicity
  • Illinois was ranked No. 10 and had won 14 of its last 16 games entering the contest
  • UCLA had previously upset then-No. 4 Purdue at home earlier in the season

What Happens Next

UCLA has four regular-season games remaining, including matchups against No. 9 Nebraska and crosstown rival USC, with their NCAA Tournament chances hanging in the balance. The team then heads to the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, needing strong performances to secure a postseason bid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the winning basket for UCLA?

Donovan Dent made the game-winning layup with 1 second left in overtime.

What was the final score of the game?

UCLA defeated Illinois 95-94 in overtime.

How large was the deficit UCLA overcame?

UCLA came back from a 23-point deficit to win the game.

What was notable about Donovan Dent's performance?

Dent had 14 points, 15 assists, and zero turnovers in 42 minutes of play.

Original Source
- No Data Available - BROWSE BY SPORTS & TEAMS PLAYERS SHOWS PERSONALITIES TOPICS Built on College Basketball College Basketball Down 23 Points And Reeling All Week, UCLA Finds An OT Escape Against No. 10 Illinois Published Feb. 22, 2026 1:50 a.m. ET share facebook x reddit link UCLA was having a very bad week, staggering to blowout losses on the road, where coach Mick Cronin angrily — and he later admitted wrongly — ejected one of his own players at Michigan State. Things didn't figure to get much better with No. 10 Illinois visiting Pauley Pavilion. And they didn't in the first half. Winners of 14 of 16, the Illini built a 23-point lead while shooting 54% from the floor and 53% from 3-point range. "I was worried before the game," Cronin said. "I didn't like the look on their face before the game. It was almost like they had lost confidence. And we played like that early, until we forgot about it." The Bruins roared back, with Donovan Dent hitting the winning layup with 1 second left in overtime for a 95-94 victory. Fans stormed the court to celebrate UCLA's second top-10 upset at home. The Bruins beat then-No. 4 Purdue 69-67 on Jan. 20. "Even when we went down big, we were still connected as a team in the huddles," Dent said. "We just kept saying keep fighting." Donovan Dent Goes Coast-to-Coast for BUZZER-BEATING Layup, UCLA Stuns No. 10 Illinois 95–94 UCLA's defense clamped down, holding the nation's top offensive team to 22% shooting in overtime and 0 of 5 from 3-point range. "I hope it helps our confidence," Cronin said. "You would hope it sends a message to them that if you're bought in defensively we got a great chance to win." Dent dribbled downcourt and got to the rim in 4.9 seconds, splitting two Illini players near the free throw line and making a move past one last defender for an up-and-under basket. "I wasn’t making layups to save my life," he said. "I missed like five in a row, so for me to get down there it was amazing." Dent had 14 points, 15 assist...
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