LOS ANGELES — Bryce Alford hit a step-back 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left as UCLA survived a late scare to beat seventh-ranked Arizona, 87-84, on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion.
Alford finished with a game-high 25 points. Freshman guard Aaron Holiday added 15 points.
The Bruins (10-6 overall, 1-2 in the Pac-12) avoided starting 0-3 in conference play for the first time since the 1981-82 season, snapping a two-game losing streak after road losses to Washington and Washington State last weekend.
UCLA led, 81-68, late in the second half, before Arizona mounted a 15-2 run in the final four minutes to tie the game at 83 with 41 seconds left.