No crazy buzzer-beater. No last-minute miracle.
After so much heartache over so many years, UCLA finally shook off its Gonzaga jinx under coach Mick Cronin on Saturday afternoon at Intuit Dome.
It looked like the Bruins might be in store for more misfortune when Sebastian Mack fouled Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard on a driving layup with 8.1 seconds left, sending Nembhard to the line for the free throw that could tie the score.
But the basketball gods finally smiled upon the Bruins.
Nembhard missed the free throw and UCLA’s Skyy Clark chased down the rebound before getting fouled.