As the game tightened, UCLA having yielded the seven-point lead over a matter of minutes, the Bruins did what Isaac Hamilton said would be required to win the Wooden Legacy.
They got nastier on defense.
It started with just under three minutes to play against Texas A&M on Sunday at the Honda Center, freshman forward T.J. Leaf’s steal leading to a three-pointer by teammate Lonzo Ball that nudged the Bruins back in front by two points.
It continued with a Hamilton block that resulted in another UCLA three-pointer, by Bryce Alford.