Gonzaga beats UCLA 79-76 in Sweet 16 on Strawther’s shot

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Julian Strawther hit a3-pointer with 6 seconds left to answer a 3-pointer by UCLA’s AmariBailey, lifting Gonzaga to a wild 79-76 NCAA Tournament win overUCLA Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

The Bruins (31-6), the West Region’s No. 2 seed, stormed backfrom an eight-point deficit in the final 1:05 and took a 76-75 leadon Bailey’s 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left.

The Zags (31-5) brought the ball up the floor and Strawtherstepped into a 3-pointer, sending Gonzaga fans to their feet.

Gonzaga’s Malachi Smith stole the ball from UCLA’s TygerCampbell, but Strawther only hit 1 of 2 free throws at the otherend, giving the Bruins a chance.

Campbell’s 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the back of the rim,sending the Zags rushing off the bench and into the Elite Eightagainst UConn on Saturday.

Strawther’s shot, off a drop pass, was reminiscent of the oneVillanova’s Kris Jenkins made to clinch the 2016 nationalchampionship.

It’s the second time Gonzaga has beaten UCLA on a last-secondshot in the NCAA Tournament. Jalen Suggs crushed the Bruins thelast time, hitting a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to send theZags to the 2021 national championship game.

The flurry of a finish started off more like a prize fight, eachteam taking its turn landing blows in a game of wild swings. UCLAled by 13 at the half, but Gonzaga went ahead by 10 with 2:30 leftin the game with UCLA in the midst of an 11-minute field goaldrought. The Bruins rallied from there to regain the lead.

The Zags were led by Drew Timme, who had 36 points for hisrecord 10th NCAA Tournament game with 20 points.

Gonzaga also turned up the defensive pressure after UCLA’shot-shooting first half and led by eight, but Jaime Jaquez Jr.scored on a three-point play and a layup to cut it 74-71 with 45seconds left. Timme then missed two free throws, setting upBailey’s shot.

Thankfully for the Zags, Strawther was on the mark with his long3-pointer, sending them to the Elite Eight for the fifth time undercoach Mark Few.

Jaquez finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds.