Saturday’s Pac-12 Conference Championship Game came down to the wire between the No. 2 ranked UCLA and No. 8 ranked Arizona Wildcats in a finish that thoroughly entertained the college basketball world.
Arizona trailed most of the second half but took the lead with just 18 seconds remaining on an extremely clutch three from senior guard Courtney Ramey. UCLA would then go on to get fouled on their next possession, but typically reliable guard Tyger Campbell only made one of his two free throws.
This forced the Bruins to foul Arizona’s Azuolas Tubelis to the free-throw line to try and extend their one-point lead. He would make one free throw, but miss the second, setting up a wild final possession to try and tie or in the game from UCLA.
UCLA would get a great look at the buzzer, but a game-winning three-point attempt from Bruins freshman Dylan Andrews came up just short.
Arizona hangs on to beat UCLA in a wild Pac-12 Championship finish!
#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/sKlDSkoyNt — The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 12, 2023
This marks the second consecutive season that Arizona has beaten UCLA in the finals of the Pac-12 Tournament, which has to be an extremely disappointing feeling.
Regardless, many took to social media to appreciate this unbelievable ending to what has been an entertaining conference tournament.
Even in a loss, props to UCLA, especially defensively. Bruins’ halfcourt defense after going small with Jaquez at the five was impressive. Despite having Tubelis & Ballo on the floor, Arizona had a ton of trouble getting clean looks. UCLA still tough, regardless of personnel.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 12, 2023
PAC-12 after dark.
Fun finish.
Arizona claims the conference tourney title after winning 3 attempt by UCLA goes off the iron.— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisWSMV) March 12, 2023
Arizona knocks off UCLA for the second straight season to win the PAC-12 tourney.
Honestly, incredibly impressed by the Bruins. No Jaylen Clark. No Adem Bona.
Nearly beat Arizona.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 12, 2023
UCLA fans are likely extremely upset with the two-point loss. An extremely bad charge call in the first half on an Amari Bailey poster dunk cost the Bruins two points, which would have sent this game to overtime.
UCLA could've used those points.
https://t.co/0NItnsFvKL — The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 12, 2023
Both teams are obviously going to be in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, but Arizona’s win certainly could have a profound impact on seeding that will be revealed on Sunday’s NCAA Tournament selection show.
UCLA likely would have been a one-seed with a win. Now those chances seem much less likely. They will probably fall to a two-seed with the loss. Meanwhile, Arizona will also likely be a two-seed with this win instead of potentially falling to a three-seed if they had lost.