UCLA
25-4,16-2Pac-12
Colorado
15-15,7-12Pac-12
No. 4 UCLA Defeats Colorado, Securing Pac-12 Regular-Season Title
February 26, 2023 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER, Colo. โ The No. 4 UCLA men's basketball team secured the Pac-12 regular-season championship outright Sunday, defeating Colorado by a 60-56 score at CU Events Center.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. posted a game-high 17 points for the Bruins. Tyger Campbell added 14 points, scoring 13 in the second half. Amari Bailey contributed 11 points, including the final four of the game. UCLA improved to 25-4 (16-2 Pac-12), reaching 25 victories for the second time in as many seasons.
This marks the first time since the 2012-13 season in which the Bruins have won the Pac-12 regular-season title. In all, the Bruins have won their conference's regular-season title for the 32nd time in program history (that figure does not include conference tournament championships).
The Buffaloes (15-15, 7-12) led by as many as 10 points in the first half. They were paced by KJ Simpson's 14 points. Luke O'Brien recorded a double-double, logging 13 points and 10 rebounds. Tristan da Silva also scored 13 points.
Aside from Jaquez Jr.'s slam dunk to open scoring, Colorado led for the duration of the first half. Colorado raced out to an 11-2 lead and a Quincy Allen 3-pointer with 7:55 remaining brought their advantage to 21-11. Four straight Jaylen Clark points turned into a 10-2 UCLA rally that also featured two Jaquez Jr. layups. Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 10 first-half points, though the Buffaloes took a 30-28 lead into halftime.
The Bruins scored the first seven points of the second half, capping the run with a Campbell 3-pointer. Their lead would reach a game-high six points (40-34) with 13:14 to go, but da Silva's 3-pointer at 8:13 put Colorado back on top, 45-44. The lead changed hands five more times, with back-to-back baskets by Jaquez Jr. and Campbell proving critical. The Buffaloes threatened to tie the score with 18 seconds left, but Adem Bona rejected a Simpson shot that went the other way for a Bailey dunk. Bailey sealed the win with seven seconds remaining, sinking two free throws.
UCLA has clinched the No. 1 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament, which takes place from March 8-11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The top four teams in the league standings will receive a first-round bye. Following next week's final two home games against Arizona State and Arizona (on Thursday and Saturday, respectively), the Bruins will move into the Pac-12 Tournament's quarterfinal round on Thursday, March 9.
UCLA, as the No. 1-seeded team, will face either the No. 8-seed or No. 9-seed that Thursday at 12 p.m. (PT). The Bruins' quarterfinal matchup will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.
UCLA begins its final homestand Thursday, March 2, when it welcomes the Sun Devils to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom for a 6 p.m. (PT) start. The regular-season finale, against the Wildcats, is set for Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m. (PT). Both games will be televised by ESPN.
