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UCLA continues improbable run to Final Four by beating No. 1 seed Michigan

The Bruins are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2008.

Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

The most storied program in NCAA basketball history is finally going back to the Final Four.

Johnny Juzang had 28 points, while Tyger Campbell chipped in with 11 as the No. 11 seeded UCLA Bruins beat the regions’ No. 1 ranked Michigan Wolverines 51-49.

Wolverines forward Franz Wagner had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his game-winning 3-point attempt rimmed out, allowing the Bruins to complete the massive upset.

UCLA becomes just the second First Four team to make it to the final four, joining Virginia Commonwealth's 2011 squad as the only squads to accomplish the feat.

Mick Cronin has done a masterful job with this team in the tournament and leads the program back to the Final Four in just his second season at the helm.

With the offense struggling, the Bruin’s defense came up big down the stretch. Michigan missed its last eight shots and only scored two points over the final 4:30.

The Bruins held a 48-47 lead with just over a minute left when Juzang, who has been sensational all tournament, got a big bucket to extend the lead to three.

Wagner drew the fifth foul on Cody Riley and hit both free throws to get Michigan back within one on the ensuing possession.

Cronin took a timeout with 35.9 seconds to set up the next offensive set. Campbell found Jaime Jaquez Jr. open for a corner 3, which came up short, giving the Wolverines a chance to win it.

But Wagner air-balled his 3-point attempt, and Eli Brooks missed a lay-in attempt, giving UCLA possession. Juzang was fouled split his two free throws to put the Bruins back up by two.

Coming out of the timeout, Michigan guard Mike Smith stormed up the court and got a good look from the 3-point line but missed it.

UCLA started the game slowly, connected on just two of its first 15 shots. Michigan took advantage of jumped out to an 11-4 lead less than 10 minutes into the game.

But Juzang came alive and scored 10 consecutive points for the Bruins, who came roaring back to go on a 23-12 run to take a 27-23 lead at the break. Juzang was on fire during the first half, scoring 18 of UCLA’s 27 points.

The Bruins came out strong to start the second half. Juzang and Cambell combined to score the first seven points for UCLA as it extended its lead to nine with just over 18 minutes left in the game.

The top-seeded Wolverines didn’t quit. Juwan Howard’s team put the clamps down and held the Bruins scoreless for the next 6:38 and cut the deficit to three, setting up the close finish.

UCLA becomes the first double-digit seed to beat the Nos. 1 and 2 seed since LSU did it in 1986.

The Bruins advance to take on the overall No. 1 seed, the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs, on Saturday.