Bruins’ Epic Collapse Ends in Double-Overtime Heartbreak—and Controversy
LOS ANGELES — In what will go down as one of the most dramatic and ultimately devastating games in recent UCLA basketball history, the Bruins fell 98-97 to the Indiana Hoosiers in double overtime on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion. The loss snapped UCLA’s impressive 14-game home winning streak and left fans, players, and coaches reeling from a contest that swung wildly from dominance to despair.
The Bruins (15-7, 7-4 Big Ten) appeared poised for another signature comeback after trailing by 10 points with under two minutes left in regulation. Sophomore guard Trent Perry drained a clutch three-pointer with just seconds remaining to tie the game and force overtime, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. But the magic ran out across the two extra periods. Indiana freshman Trent Sisley stepped to the line with 0.3 seconds left in the second overtime and calmly sank the first of two free throws to seal the victory for the Hoosiers (15-7, 6-5 Big Ten).
Indiana’s balanced attack proved too much in the end. Nick Dorn erupted for a season-high 26 points, including six three-pointers, while Lamar Wilkerson added 24 points and eight rebounds. Reed Bailey contributed another 24 points in a gritty performance that showcased the Hoosiers’ resilience. For UCLA, Perry led with 25 points (including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line), and Donovan Dent added 24 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in the final seconds.
The game itself was a rollercoaster. UCLA jumped out to an early lead, building a six-point advantage by halftime behind sharp shooting and defensive pressure. But Indiana roared back in the second half, using hot outside shooting and relentless transition play to seize control. A 14-2 run late in regulation, punctuated by Wilkerson’s key buckets, pushed the Hoosiers ahead by double digits. Yet the Bruins refused to fold. They clawed back with ferocious defense and timely scoring, erasing the deficit in a frantic final stretch that had both benches on their feet.
What should have been a memorable, hard-fought Big Ten battle, however, quickly turned into something far uglier in the aftermath.
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin, visibly shaken by the collapse and the end of the home streak, let his emotions boil over in his postgame comments and interactions. Overcome with frustration after watching his team squander a golden opportunity, Cronin directed profanity-laced remarks toward several Indiana players as they exited the floor. Witnesses described the outburst as uncharacteristic but intense, with Cronin reportedly using explicit language to criticize what he perceived as taunting or showboating from the Hoosiers in the closing moments.
The incident did not go unnoticed. Within hours, the NCAA issued a swift and unprecedented response, announcing a historic one-game suspension for Cronin and a substantial fine—the largest ever levied against a coach for verbal misconduct toward opposing players in a single incident. Officials cited the need to uphold sportsmanship standards in an era when college basketball is under intense scrutiny for player welfare and decorum. The penalty was described as “reflective of the severity and public nature of the behavior,” marking a rare immediate action from the governing body.
Cronin’s reputation as a fiery, no-nonsense coach is well-established, but this crossed a line that even his staunchest supporters acknowledged was regrettable. In a brief statement released by the UCLA athletic department, Cronin expressed remorse: “I let my emotions get the best of me in a moment of disappointment. I have the utmost respect for Indiana’s program and players, and I apologize for my words. This doesn’t reflect who I am or what we stand for at UCLA.”
On the Indiana side, the Hoosiers were quick to move past the drama and focus on their hard-earned road triumph—their first-ever win at Pauley Pavilion and a crucial Quadrant 1 victory that bolsters their NCAA Tournament resume.
Lamar Wilkerson, the fifth-year senior guard who played a pivotal role with his scoring outbursts in overtime, addressed the incident directly in postgame interviews. “We came here to play basketball and earn a win, and that’s what we did,” Wilkerson said. “Tempers flare in big games like this—it’s emotional for everyone. But at the end of the day, it’s about respect on the court. We handled our business, and I’m proud of how our guys stayed composed. No need to dwell on the extra stuff; we got the W, and that’s what matters.”
Wilkerson’s comments were measured and class-act, emphasizing the competitive spirit of the matchup rather than fueling any feud. His performance—clutch layups, timely free throws, and defensive tenacity—embodied the poise Indiana head coach Darian DeVries praised afterward: “Our guys showed guts, character, and fight. They left it all out there.”
For UCLA, the defeat stings on multiple levels. Beyond the scoreboard, the loss exposed defensive lapses that Cronin himself called “awful” in his initial press conference before the controversy erupted. The Bruins now face questions about closing out games and maintaining composure under pressure as they navigate the rugged Big Ten slate.
As the dust settles, this 98-97 thriller will be remembered not just for the back-and-forth drama or Sisley’s heroics at the line, but for how quickly triumph turned to turmoil. In college basketball, emotions run high, stakes are enormous, and lines can blur in the heat of battle. Saturday’s contest reminded everyone that even the most intense rivalries must stay within bounds—or face historic consequences.
The Bruins will look to regroup and channel the disappointment into future wins, while Indiana rides the momentum of a statement road victory. But for one afternoon in Los Angeles, heartbreak came in more ways than one.
