UCLA avoids late scare in 75-71 NCAA tournament first-round win over UCF
After ending the first half on 1-for-8 shooting and letting UCF complete a near-gutsy comeback win, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin’s just glad his team wasn’t on the wrong side of a March upset.
Trent Perry #0 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates during an NCAA basketball game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Tuesday March 3, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. PHILADELPHIA — Trent Perry stayed at UCLA for moments like these. After averaging just more than 11 minutes, three points and logging zero starts for the Bruins last season, he could have left.
And he wouldn’t have been criticized for it. But he stayed. The sophomore guard, standing at the free throw line, glanced at Mick Cronin after the Bruins’ once 14-point lead was trimmed to just three with 8.
3 seconds left Friday. UCLA’s coach, always an emblem of emotion, was expressionless on the Xfinity Mobile Arena sideline. Perry went through his usual routine.
“It’s just me and the rim,” he told himself. “You dream of these moments. ” He stared at the rim, took a deep breath and drained both attempts.
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