UCLA rallies from slow start to beat Duke, stake its claim in the Final Four

The Bruins overcame an early deficit to defeat the Blue Devils and advance to the national semifinals.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:26pm

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UCLA, the top-seeded team in the NCAA tournament, overcame a slow start against No. 3 Duke on Sunday to rally and defeat the Blue Devils. The Bruins trailed at halftime but settled in after the break, pulling away for a decisive victory that sends them to the Final Four.

Why it matters

UCLA's comeback win over a highly ranked Duke squad solidifies the Bruins' status as a national title contender and cements their place in the Final Four, one of college basketball's most prestigious events. The victory also continues UCLA's strong season and builds momentum as they aim to capture their first national championship since 2015.

The details

After falling behind early, UCLA regrouped at halftime and came out strong in the second half. The Bruins' defense tightened up, and their offense found a rhythm, allowing them to gradually pull away from Duke and secure the hard-fought victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • UCLA trailed at halftime, just the second time they had done so all season.

The players

UCLA

The top-seeded team in the NCAA tournament, UCLA is a perennial college basketball powerhouse seeking its 12th national championship.

Duke

The No. 3 seed in the tournament, Duke is one of the most successful and recognizable college basketball programs in the country, with 5 national titles to its name.

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What’s next

UCLA will now advance to the Final Four, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup. The national championship game is scheduled for April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

UCLA's comeback win over Duke demonstrates the Bruins' resilience and ability to overcome adversity, qualities that will serve them well as they continue their pursuit of a national championship. The victory also solidifies UCLA's status as one of the top teams in the country and a legitimate contender for the title.