PISCATAWAY, N.J. — In a thrilling matchup on Monday night, Rutgers emerged victorious against UCLA with a score of 75-68, snapping their own three-game losing streak while extending the Bruins’ struggles to four consecutive losses. Freshman sensation Ace Bailey was instrumental in the victory, registering an impressive 20 points and securing 10 rebounds, marking his fifth double-double of the season.
Bailey displayed great efficiency, hitting 7 of his 13 attempts from the field, including one 3-pointer, while also converting all five of his free throw attempts. He contributed defensively as well, blocking three shots throughout the game. Another key player for Rutgers was Dylan Harper, who netted 18 points with two shots from beyond the arc. Jeremiah Williams made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
On the other side, UCLA, which came into the game ranked 15th, saw Eric Dailey Jr. and reserve Sebastian Mack each contribute 16 points. Kobe Johnson added 13 points to the Bruins’ efforts. The game started with UCLA taking an early lead thanks to a 3-pointer from Lazar Stefanovic during a 7-0 run. However, Rutgers managed to level the score at 16 with a layup from Williams. Mack quickly responded with another layup, and at halftime, the Bruins held a narrow 33-30 advantage.
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Bailey tipped in a missed shot just after the break. Harper subsequently sank two consecutive 3-pointers, granting Rutgers their first lead of the game. UCLA fought hard to tie the game at 41 following a basket by Dailey, but Tyson Acuff responded with a 3-pointer, followed by a jumper from Bailey, extending Rutgers’ lead to 46-41 with 14:46 left in the game. After taking the lead, the Scarlet Knights maintained control for the remainder of the match, never trailing again in the final 19 minutes.
This marks the first victory for Rutgers against UCLA on their home court, and historically, the two teams had met three times in earlier years between 1976-1981, with UCLA winning two of those encounters.
Looking ahead, Rutgers is set to face Nebraska on Thursday, while UCLA will host Iowa on Friday.
