In one of the NCAA tournament’s most exciting games so far, the 11-seed UCLA Bruins upset the 2-seed Alabama Crimson Tide 88-78 in the Sweet 16.
UCLA held an 11-point lead going into halftime, but Alabama refused to give up, storming back to make it a back-and-forth game late into the second half. After Herbert Jones missed two free throws to keep it at 63-62 with six seconds remaining, UCLA’s David Singleton hit both of his on the other end, giving the Bruins a three-point advantage with just four seconds remaining. That was all the Crimson Tide needed, however, as Alex Reese drained a 3-point buzzer beater to bring the match into overtime — and prompting reactions from the sports world, including an excited LeBron James.
OMGGGGGGGGG
OVERTIME IN INDY 🚨@AlabamaMBB #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/lKRyvWP55I
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 29, 2021
WOW!!!!!! 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣 #MarchMadness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 29, 2021
#3 knew it, before it left his hand…BIG TIME SHOT!!! #Prez
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) March 29, 2021
Alex Reese pulled an OG Anunoby “I don’t shoot to miss” holding that follow through ‼️
— Kia Nurse (@KayNurse11) March 29, 2021
THIS IS MARCH! https://t.co/QqXMySz4GB
— Myles Turner (@Original_Turner) March 29, 2021
The elation was short-lived for Alabama, however, as UCLA held firm in overtime, scoring 23 points to the Crimson Tide’s 13.
UCLA IS A WHOLE MOOD 🕺@UCLAMBB #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/pDRMBTx5Vi
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 29, 2021
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
That’s my tweet.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) March 29, 2021
lets goooo!!!!! happy for this group their journey is dope! #elite8bound
— SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) March 29, 2021
Feeling like 95 UCLA. Balance and hybrid scorers good defense. Go bruins!!!! @UCLAMBB
— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) March 29, 2021
UCLA will move on to face 1-seed Michigan in the Elite Eight.