UCLA squeaks out win over Akron in NCAA Tournament first round


PORTLAND, Ore. — Tyger Campbell rescued UCLA from a possible upset, scoring eight straight factors late within the second half, and the fourth-seeded Bruins rallied for a 57-53 win over No. 13 seed Akron within the first spherical of the NCAA Event on Thursday evening.

With the Bruins down 51-47 with 3 1/2 minutes left, Campbell took management and helped his crew keep away from getting bounced on the opening day of the match. Campbell hit a nook 3-pointer to tug UCLA inside one, knocked down a 15-footer for the lead and added a 25-footer because the shot clock was expiring to place the Bruins forward 55-51 with 1:17 left.

“My teammates simply stored discovering me and I simply was desirous to make a play,” Campbell stated. “I knew down the stretch, coach made some changes, and I simply wished to execute on them and the photographs went in.”

Even with Campbell’s streak, the Bruins (26-7) nonetheless needed to sweat the ultimate moments after a missed free throw and Jamie Jacquez Jr. lacking a jumper with 15 seconds left. Akron’s Ali Ali drove to the basket however didn’t have a clear look and was blocked by Cody Riley.

UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) is defended by Akron Zips guard Greg Tribble (2) and forward Mikal Dawson (22) during the second half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center.
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) is defended by Akron guard Greg Tribble (2) and ahead Mikal Dawson (22).
Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports activities

Johnny Juzang knocked down a pair of free throws, and the Bruins moved on to face No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s on Saturday.

“This jogs my memory of my Large East days. You’re going to win a rock combat, you’ve obtained to place your hardhat on and also you’ve obtained to handle the ball, get some further possessions,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin stated. “And the offensive rebounding was large, and we didn’t flip it over. We had been capable of lastly get some — hold in there and get some stops and get a number of photographs to go down.”

Campbell completed with 16 factors and Jaquez added 15. Jules Bernard, who hit a 3 to begin UCLA’s run when it trailed 47-39, added 10 factors.

UCLA Bruins guard Tyger Campbell (10) shoots the basketball against Akron Zips guard Greg Tribble (2) during the second half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center.
UCLA guard Tyger Campbell (10) shoots in entrance of Akron guard Greg Tribble (2).
Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports activities

Xavier Castaneda led Akron (24-10) with 18 factors and Enrique Freeman added 14 earlier than fouling out with 2:26 remaining on an unlawful display. Ali, the Zips’ main scorer, was held to 5 factors after averaging almost 15 per sport.

“We had our probabilities,” Akron coach John Groce stated. “Defensively I believed we had been spectacular, fairly frankly, after which offensively we had some empty possessions right here and there that we’ll in all probability check out sooner or later in time and need we may have again. That’s the way in which it really works.”

A yr after an sudden run to the Closing 4, the Bruins entered the match a stylish choice to make a run within the wide-open East. They almost turned one other upset sufferer for Groce, who misplaced within the opening spherical of the match for the primary time after going 3-0 in his earlier NCAA journeys because the coach at Ohio and Illinois. Akron was a 13 1/2-point underdog, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook.

The Zips had their probabilities, particularly after constructing an eight-point lead. Castaneda related on consecutive 3s after UCLA took a 39-38 lead, and Greg Tribble scored on a baseline reverse, falling down as he was fouled, to push the Zips’ result in 47-39 with 7:54 left.

However UCLA closed the sport on an 18-6 run.

“I believe we didn’t panic, and like I stated, we’ve been in these positions earlier than final yr within the match, additionally all through our season,” Bernard stated. “So we all know what that feeling is like, and we simply attempt to keep composed as greatest as potential and know that our effort and toughness would pull us by means of.”

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