Bruins Pull Off Upset Victory

CHICAGO – UCLA secured a hard-fought 88-84 victory over Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night, avenging an earlier season loss to the Spartans. The win propels the Bruins into the tournament semifinals, where they will face Purdue.

Dent and Perry Lead the Charge

Donovan Dent delivered another outstanding performance, finishing with 23 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. Trent Perry contributed 22 points for UCLA. The duo proved instrumental in overcoming a tough Michigan State team.

“They took us to the woodshed,” coach Mick Cronin recalled this week.

Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times

Game Recap

Michigan State narrowed a 15-point second-half deficit to just two points in the final minute, but UCLA held on for the victory. Jeremy Fears Jr. Led the Spartans with 21 points and 13 assists, breaking the school record for assists in a season with 294, surpassing Cassius Winston’s previous record of 291.

• Michigan State’s all-time record in the Big Ten Tournament is now 36-22.
• The Spartans trail the all-time series with UCLA, 5-9.
• MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo is now 4-6 all-time against the Bruins.

Key Stats

UCLA shot 56% from the floor, although Michigan State managed 45%. Both teams were effective from three-point range, shooting 48%. UCLA converted 79% of their free throws compared to Michigan State’s 77%.

Looking Ahead

UCLA will face No. 7 seed Purdue in the Big Ten tournament semifinals on Saturday. The game promises to be another challenging contest for the Bruins as they continue their pursuit of the tournament title.

FAQ

What is UCLA’s record in the Big Ten Tournament?

Information regarding UCLA’s overall record in the Big Ten Tournament was not provided in the source materials.

Who is the head coach of Michigan State?

The head coach of Michigan State is Tom Izzo.

What is Donovan Dent’s stat line from the game?

Donovan Dent finished with 23 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds.