Every game matters for the No. 4 UCLA Bruins right now. With momentum, a six-game winning streak, and hope for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, they need to win to keep it up. And against a 17-11 Utah Utes team, the Bruins showed why they have only lost four games.
They built a double-digit lead early, but the Utes stormed back in the second half, cutting their lead to three points. Then, the Bruins veterans Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell excelled in the clutch minutes en route to a 78-71 victory.
Jaquez led the way with baskets on all three levels. Fittingly, he knocked in a three-pointer to ice the game with over a minute remaining.
Jaquez ended with 23 points and eight rebounds.
Tyger Campbell, who entered the matchup on a relatively cold streak offensively, made his mark on both ends of the floor. After previously averaging 6.0 points per game in the last five games, he roared back against the Utes.
Campbell ended with 18 points. He also dished out five assists and grabbed two steals.
The Bruins also employed a familiar freshman in their win. However, the player, Adem Bona, was sporting a new look as a mask covering most of his face. Unlike the new look, though, he still made electric plays.
On offense, Bona leaped up for alley-oop slams, and on defense, he jumped to swat away shots. His contribution supported the Bruins in their win finishing with six points and seven rebounds.
Going up!
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 24, 2023
Amari Bailey finds Adem Bona 🤝 @UCLAMBB pic.twitter.com/HVSMFW7u59
Another freshman, Dylan Andrews, also made an impact. And he did so by displaying his craftiness.
After previously averaging 3.2 points per game this season, Andrews scored ten points tonight.
Next, the Bruins will play the Colorado Buffaloes this Sunday at 1 p.m.