UCLA historical tournament run ends with Gonzaga beating them with Jalen Suggs buzzer-beater in overtime this Sunday.
No. 1 seed Gonzaga faced UCLA in the semi-final round of the NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
While Gonzaga entered the court as a top-ranked team throughout the tournament.
Similarly, UCLA entered the court as a team to enter the final four for the first since 2008.
Both gave the NCAA a match to remember both going head to head throughout the regular quarter.
Consequently match entering overtime and Gonzaga winning the match 93-90 against UCLA.
Competitive match till the final seconds.
UCLA started strong, scoring on the opening possession of the game and continuing to hit open jumpers during the game.
On the other side, Gonzaga’s Joel Ayayi scored their first seven points and finishing a game-high 16 in the opening 20 minutes.
Similarly, Johnny Juzang led the shooting for UCLA, with 15 points on 6-8 field goal attempts before the break.
The first half ends with close scoring as both teams made the baskets, neither one creating much of a gap.
In the first half of the match, Gonzaga took the lead 45-44 with only a point difference.
As they entered the second half, it seemed like Zags will take the lead as they were getting some separation.
They even forced the turnovers and scored in transition and took a seven-point advantage just before ten-minute.
But UCLA climbed it’s way back, shooting incredibly amazing to tie the game and eventually take the lead back a few minutes later.
With four minutes left in regulation, the two teams were still trading scores. An incredible play by Gonzaga made the highlight of 2nd half.
Suggs’ block of Cody Riley led to a slam in transition by Drew Timme at the end of regulation and helped send the game into an extra session.
Subsequently, UCLA made 37 points in the 2nd half and Gonzaga made 36 points.
Consequently, both entering overtime with a tie at 81-all.
Thrilling overtime buzzer-beater by Gonzaga’s Suggs.
In the overtime regulation, Gonzaga center Drew Timme made six quick points in the opening two minutes of overtime.
However, Gonzaga was led only by two points when UCLA’s Juzang drove to the rim with less than ten seconds to play.
Consequently, he tied the game with a putback but his score only set the stage for Suggs.
As Jalen Suggs banked in a 40-footer at the buzzer to give Gonzaga a 93-90 overtime victory over U.C.L.A.
But, Suggs heroic shot led the unbeaten Bulldogs into their second national championship game.
Juzang finished with 29 points to lead the Bruins while Jaime Jaquez dropped 19 points.
“We went out fighting,” Juzang said. “We went out, there’s no better way, there’s no regrets. Everybody fought to the last play and the last shot is the last shot.”
Similarly, Tyger Campbell made 17 points and Cody Riley contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds double-double.
Meanwhile, for Gonzaga, Drew Timme scored 25 points, Joel Ayayi scored 22 points.
Likewise, Jalen Suggs dropped 16 points followed by Corey Kispert, who scored 15 points.
Gonzaga Bulldogs Gonzaga (31-0) will attempt to become the first undefeated national championship team.
They will face No.2 seed Baylor Bears (27-2) in the NCAA championship game on Monday night.
Jalen Suggs Buzzer Beater broke the Twitter.
“I was just thinking, ‘please, please go in,’ I don’t want to go to another overtime,” Suggs said.
“It’s crazy,” Suggs said. “Again, like I said, to actually live out that moment — oh, my gosh. Right now, I’m tripping.
I still don’t believe it. It’s not going to kick in until the morning.”
As Jalen Suggs made the 40- footer shot, he got his Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade moment.
“I’ve always wanted to run up on the table [after a game winner] like Kobe or D-Wade,” said Suggs.
The game as a whole drew the attention of many around the NBA and sports world.
Not only the game made the headline but the Suggs buzzer-beater received a great response from the NBA.
Where everyone on Twitter posted their reaction to the game and Jalen’s game-winning shot.
NBA star players like Lebron James, Jamal Murray, Trae young, and even hall of farmer Magic Johnson couldn’t stop themselves from showing their excitement.
NBA players react to the Final four match between UCLA and Gonzaga.
Firstly Lebron James showed his reaction to the game through Twitter.
Subsequently, he praised Jalen Suggs for his incredible shot.
One of the greatest players in the NBA and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson also took Twitter to praise the incredible match.
Jamal Murray, Trae Young, Isaiah Thomas also seemed impressed with the game and expressed it on Twitter.
Gonzaga players in the NBA were thrilled at the stunning ending expressed their excitement at seeing the Bulldogs beat UCLA in the Final Four.
And continue their unbeaten season and head for the Finals.
For Brandon Clarke, it was the best game ever.
Meanwhile, Former UCLA Bruins took to Twitter as well, expressing their disbelief at the ending.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, who played on UCLA’s last Final Four team in 2008 showed his disbelief.
The match between UCLA and Gonzaga was one of the greatest and thrilling matches of the 2021 NCAA tournament.
No.1 seed Gonzaga will now face No.2 seed Baylor for the title on Tuesday.
