UCLA Overcomes 23-Point Deficit to Beat No. 10 Illinois in OT

Bruins find an escape after a tumultuous week of losses and player ejections

Feb. 22, 2026 at 6:05am

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The UCLA Bruins men's basketball team overcame a 23-point deficit to defeat the 10th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in overtime, pulling off an improbable comeback after a tumultuous week that included a pair of blowout road losses and the ejection of one of their own players by head coach Mick Cronin.

Why it matters

This win is a major boost for UCLA, which had been reeling and facing questions about the direction of the program. Overcoming a large deficit against a top-10 opponent shows the team's resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity.

The details

After falling behind by 23 points, the Bruins mounted a furious comeback in the second half to force overtime, where they were able to pull out the victory. This came after a difficult week that saw UCLA suffer two lopsided road losses and Cronin eject one of his own players during a game at Michigan State.

  • The game took place on February 22, 2026.
  • UCLA had suffered a pair of 20-plus point blowout road losses earlier in the week.

The players

Mick Cronin

The head coach of the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We must have showed a lot of heart and toughness to come back from that big of a deficit against a top-10 team. I'm really proud of our guys for not giving up.”

— Mick Cronin, Head Coach, UCLA Bruins

The takeaway

This comeback win could be a turning point for the UCLA Bruins, who demonstrated their resilience and ability to bounce back from a difficult stretch. The team's perseverance in the face of adversity is a positive sign as they look to build momentum heading into the postseason.