UCLA Edges Central Florida in NCAA Tournament Thriller

Eric Dailey Jr. leads Bruins to 75-71 win without injured star Tyler Bilodeau

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:18am

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The seventh-seeded UCLA Bruins defeated the tenth-seeded Central Florida Knights 75-71 in the NCAA tournament's first round, overcoming the absence of leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau due to a sprained knee. Eric Dailey Jr. stepped up with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks to pace the Bruins, while Xavier Booker and Trent Perry also made key contributions. UCF made a late push but ultimately fell short, with Jordan Burks and Ryan Kugel leading the Knights in scoring.

Why it matters

This win keeps UCLA's tournament hopes alive as they advance to the second round, where they will face the winner of Connecticut and Furman. The Bruins showed resilience in overcoming the loss of their top scorer, Bilodeau, demonstrating their depth and ability to win close games without their star player.

The details

After a slow start, UCLA found its rhythm and built a 13-point lead midway through the first half. Central Florida made a second-half push to cut the deficit to just three points, but the Bruins held on down the stretch, with Skyy Clark making a key free throw in the final seconds to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The players

Eric Dailey Jr.

A 6-foot-8 guard for UCLA who led the team with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the win.

Tyler Bilodeau

UCLA's leading scorer who missed the game due to a sprained knee injury sustained in the Big Ten tournament.

Xavier Booker

Started in place of the injured Bilodeau and contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds for the Bruins.

Jordan Burks

Led Central Florida with 22 points in the losing effort.

Ryan Kugel

Scored 13 points for the Knights in the tournament matchup.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

UCLA will play the winner of No. 2 Connecticut vs. No. 15 Furman on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The takeaway

This win showcases UCLA's depth and resilience, as they were able to overcome the absence of their leading scorer Bilodeau and advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Bruins demonstrated their ability to win close games, which will be crucial as they continue their tournament run.