/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69040626/usa_today_15813032.0.jpg)
The Bruins will continue on their path in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight after upsetting the No. 2-seeded Crimson Tide 88-78 in overtime on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
UCLA TAKES DOWN ALABAMA IN OT!
— ESPN (@espn) March 29, 2021
The Bruins will make their first Elite Eight appearance since 2008 #NCAATournament pic.twitter.com/mqLSc7gf3S
Alabama fought like hell to keep things close near the end of regulation, and even managed to provide fans with free basketball when forward Alex Reese hit a game-tying three-pointer with one second left.
Things started off slow for either team with the Bruins scoring the game’s first points 90 seconds in and the Tide finally getting on the board with a Keon Ellis-free throw at the 17:33 mark.
UCLA ended the first half on a six-minute stretch, outscoring the Tide 15-4 to take a 40-29 lead heading into the break. However, Alabama came out firing on the other side, scoring the first 11 points of the second half to tie things at 40-40 in just under five minutes.
Both teams traded leads several times over before the end of regulation, but the Bruins found their second wind as guard David Singleton scored seven points to help lead the team to victory in OT.
Guards Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jules Bernard each scored 17 points apiece to pace their team. Sophomore Tyger Campbell led the team with five assists and freshman Jaylen Clark pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
Bama was led by reserve guard Jahvon Quinerly who scored a game-high 20 points. Ellis and forward Herbert Jones each led the Tide with nine rebounds.
The Bruins will face top-seeded Michigan for a spot in this year’s final four on Tuesday night.