Indiana Hoosiers Edge UCLA Bruins In Double Overtime Thriller

The Indiana Hoosiers delivered a heart-stopping performance on January 31, 2026, as they edged out the UCLA Bruins 98-97 in a double-overtime thriller at historic Pauley Pavilion. In front of 10,086 fervent fans, Indiana not only claimed its first-ever victory at the iconic Los Angeles venue but also secured a crucial second Quad One win, boosting their NCAA Tournament hopes as February dawns.

For Indiana, this contest was as much about resilience as it was about skill. The Hoosiers, coming off a significant win over rival Purdue, looked shaky out of the gate, managing just eight points in the first ten minutes. UCLA’s defense, orchestrated by head coach Mick Cronin, clamped down hard, making every Indiana possession a battle. The Bruins led 14-8 before Indiana coach Darian DeVries called a pivotal timeout. The Hoosiers responded with a 14-2 run, fueled by the hot hand of Lamar Wilkerson, surging ahead 22-16. But Wilkerson’s second foul forced him to the bench, and UCLA pounced, closing the half on a 15-5 run to take a 36-30 lead into the locker room.

Indiana’s first-half struggles in the paint—outscored 18-10—were offset by a barrage of five three-pointers, keeping them within striking distance. As the second half unfolded, Nick Dorn, a junior transfer from Elon, caught fire. Dorn’s sharp shooting and fearless drives put Indiana back in front 45-43, and with help from Reed Bailey’s inside presence and rebounding, the Hoosiers built a 63-54 cushion. The visitors extended their lead to ten with less than two minutes to play, seemingly in control.

But Pauley Pavilion has seen its share of drama, and this night was no exception. UCLA, refusing to fold, applied relentless full-court pressure. Indiana wobbled—Wilkerson missed key free throws, turnovers mounted, and the Bruins chipped away. With 1:50 left, the Bruins began a furious rally, outscoring Indiana 15-5 down the stretch. Donovan Dent’s layups, Trent Perry’s clutch free throws, and a final, cold-blooded three-pointer from Perry with 1.1 seconds left sent the game to overtime, tying it at 76-76. The crowd erupted, sensing something special in the air.

Overtime brought more chaos. Indiana, already with three players fouled out by the second extra session, found themselves trading leads with UCLA. The Bruins looked to seize momentum after Nick Dorn fouled 75 feet from the basket, and Reed Bailey was called for a controversial foul that ended his night after a standout performance. Still, Wilkerson and Dorn answered, with Wilkerson’s aggressive drives and Dorn’s timely triples keeping Indiana afloat.

As the second overtime ticked away, the game became a seesaw battle. Trent Perry, who finished with a team-high 25 points for UCLA, drained a deep three late in the shot clock to put the Bruins up 93-90. But Indiana refused to back down. Sam Alexis, stepping up in the clutch, hit key free throws and grabbed a vital rebound. Tucker DeVries, who contributed nine points, seven assists, and ten rebounds, was fouled with a minute left and calmly sank both shots, swinging the lead back to Indiana. Yet, UCLA’s Dent—who notched 24 points and 11 assists—responded with a quick layup, and the teams continued to exchange blows.

With just 0.3 seconds remaining and the score knotted at 97, Indiana’s freshman Trent Sisley was fouled by Donovan Dent as he went up for a layup after an inbounds play. The pressure was immense—one free throw could decide the game. Sisley stepped to the line, hit the first, and missed the second. The clock expired as the rebound was touched, sealing a 98-97 Indiana victory. The Hoosiers’ bench erupted, and the small but vocal contingent of Indiana fans in the stands celebrated a win for the ages.

“We went through a stretch where we couldn’t make a shot,” admitted UCLA coach Mick Cronin after the game. “Sometimes a lid gets on the basket, guys feel pressure and missed shots can be contagious. And that’s what happened to us. You got good players, and then you just got to keep on playing. One will go in – just got to, at the end of the game, you’ve got to play it out. The only thing we did well tonight, in my opinion, was play out the last two minutes. Clock, score, and that’s when they actually listen to me on how to press. They didn’t listen to our scouting report for the game. I can tell you that, and that’s why you lose.”

For Indiana, the stars were many. Nick Dorn led all scorers with 26 points and seven rebounds, while Lamar Wilkerson poured in 24 points, including crucial buckets in both overtimes. Reed Bailey matched Wilkerson’s 24 points before fouling out, and Tucker DeVries’ all-around game steadied the Hoosiers during tense moments. Jasai Miles also contributed 24 points, providing needed scoring depth for Indiana. On the UCLA side, Perry’s 25 points and perfect 10-for-10 free-throw shooting kept the Bruins in contention, while Dent’s double-double and Tyler Bilodeau’s 18 points and 11 rebounds anchored the Bruins’ attack.

Statistically, the game was a showcase of offensive firepower and clutch performances. Indiana overcame being outscored in the paint early by relying on perimeter shooting and timely defensive stops. UCLA’s 36-30 halftime lead was built on a 15-5 run, but the Hoosiers’ resilience in the second half and beyond proved decisive. The game featured multiple lead changes in both overtime periods, with neither team willing to concede an inch. The Bruins’ remarkable comeback in the final two minutes of regulation showcased their grit, but Indiana’s poise in the game’s waning moments ultimately made the difference.

With this victory, Indiana improves to 15-7 overall and 6-5 in Big Ten play, while UCLA drops to 15-7 and 7-4 in the conference. The Hoosiers will now head across town for a Tuesday night showdown with the USC Trojans, aiming to cap their West Coast swing with another statement win and further solidify their NCAA Tournament credentials.

The echoes of this double-overtime classic will linger at Pauley Pavilion, a game that saw both teams push each other to the brink and deliver a spectacle worthy of college basketball’s storied history. For Indiana, it was a triumph born from adversity and a sign that this squad may be peaking at just the right time.