Arizona Beats UCLA 69-65 After Late Comeback In Hall Of Fame Game

Arizona and UCLA, two of the strongest basketball programs in the western United States, met again in a highly awaited Hall of Fame Series game in Inglewood, California. The match was tough from the beginning, and both teams showed strong defense and smart plays. Arizona came into the game unbeaten at 4-0, while UCLA entered with a 3-1 record. Fans expected a close contest, and the teams delivered exactly that with a thrilling and tight finish.

Anthony Dell’Orso was Arizona’s top scorer with 20 points, and his shooting was very important throughout the game. He especially stepped up in the final minutes when the pressure was highest. Dell’Orso also hit four three-pointers and made key plays when Arizona needed confidence and stability. His scoring kept Arizona close, even when UCLA tried to pull away in the second half.

Jaden Bradley had 15 points, but 13 of those came in the second half when Arizona needed energy and leadership. Bradley showed great confidence by attacking the basket and knocking down a late three-pointer. His powerful dunk and his high-arching bank shot in the final minute gave Arizona the momentum to finish strong. Bradley’s calmness under pressure helped the Wildcats take the lead and hold on to win.

Although UCLA lost, the Bruins played very well for most of the game. Tyler Bilodeau led the team with 19 points and was excellent from the field, making seven of his ten shots. He also hit key three-pointers to keep UCLA ahead. Eric Dailey Jr. added 13 points, while Donovan Dent scored 11 points and made eight assists, showing good control as a playmaker. Xavier Booker added 10 points and seven rebounds, helping UCLA stay strong inside.

At one point in the second half, Arizona trailed by eight points as UCLA went on a big scoring run. But instead of losing confidence, the Wildcats responded with an 11-2 run. Dell’Orso’s three-pointer at the end of that run gave Arizona a 60-59 lead, which brought their fans back into the game. Every possession mattered, and both teams traded baskets in a tense final stretch.

The final three minutes of the game were the most exciting. Bilodeau scored to push UCLA back in front, but Bradley quickly answered with a powerful dunk. Skyy Clark responded for UCLA, making the game 63-62 in their favor. Then came the turning point — Bradley hit a three-pointer to give Arizona a 65-63 lead with just over a minute left. Moments later, Bradley scored again with a difficult high bank shot, giving Arizona a four-point lead.

Dent made a quick layup to bring UCLA within two points with 19 seconds remaining, giving the Bruins a small chance. But Dell’Orso calmly hit two free throws to extend Arizona’s lead to four, making a comeback almost impossible in the time left. Clark missed UCLA’s last three-point attempt, and Arizona held the ball until the final buzzer.

With this win, Arizona improved to 4-0 and showed that they can stay calm under late-game pressure. Their mix of strong scoring, balanced team play, and excellent late execution makes them look like a serious top-five team. UCLA, now 3-1, showed potential but will need to improve their late-game decisions.