LOUISVILLE, KY – The UCLA Bruins stayed alive with a late goaltending call that gave them a 60-59 win over the SMU Mustangs on Thursday, sending the Bruins into the third round. Bryce Alford led the Bruins with 27 points, including the final contested three-pointer with 13 seconds left, while Mustangs’ leading scorer Nic Moore missed a potential game-winning three and finished with 24 points in the loss.
Alford went 9 for 11 from behind the arc with his last basket counting due to goaltending, according to officials. The call stunned the Mustangs and their coach, Larry Brown, but as a non-reviewable call the basket stood. UCLA advances to face No. 14 UAB on Saturday, after the Blazers upset Iowa State earlier in the day.
John Sadak and Bill Frieder called the action on Westwood One Sports.