UCLA Edges Illinois in Thrilling Overtime Victory
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Pauley Pavilion
UCLA Bruins 95, Illinois Fighting Illini 94, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Illinois Fighting Illini vs UCLA Bruins?
UCLA Bruins beat Illinois Fighting Illini 95-94 at Pauley Pavilion on February 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Illinois Fighting Illini vs UCLA Bruins?
Illinois Fighting Illini were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -290 (about 74% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at Pauley Pavilion, the UCLA Bruins triumphed over the Illinois Fighting Illini with a final score of 95-94 after an intense overtime period. The game showcased the resilience of the Bruins, who managed to overcome a challenging season and a previous loss to the same opponent earlier in the year. This victory not only adds to UCLA's home record but also highlights their ability to perform under pressure, particularly in close contests.
UCLA entered the game with a home record of 18-9 and had been struggling recently, losing their last two games against Michigan State and Michigan by scores of 59-82 and 56-86, respectively. Their recent form showed a record of 6-4 over the last ten games, with an average of 74.5 points scored and 73.9 points allowed. In their last five games, they averaged 77.4 points while allowing 81.0 points, indicating defensive challenges that needed addressing.
On the other side, the Illinois Fighting Illini boasted a strong away record of 22-6 and had been in good form, winning eight of their last ten games. Their recent performance included a decisive victory against USC, where they won 101-65. Illinois averaged 83.5 points scored and allowed 69.1 points during their last ten games, with their last five games reflecting an average of 85.6 points scored and 67.4 points allowed. This offensive prowess made them a formidable opponent heading into the matchup.
The previous meeting between these two teams took place on February 12, 2025, where UCLA fell to Illinois 78-83. This history added an extra layer of motivation for the Bruins as they sought to avenge that loss on their home court.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences that affected either team, which allowed both squads to field their best lineups for this crucial game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Illinois favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 146.5. The odds reflected the confidence in Illinois's ability to perform well, particularly given their recent success. However, UCLA's home advantage and the stakes of the game likely influenced the Bruins' strong performance.
Conditions at Pauley Pavilion were conducive to an exciting game, with fans creating an electric atmosphere that fueled both teams. The Bruins' ability to capitalize on their home-court advantage was evident as they fought hard to secure the win.
As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Key moments included clutch free throws and critical plays in overtime, with both teams exchanging leads. Notably, Kylan Boswell's free throw put Illinois ahead momentarily in overtime, but UCLA responded with a dunk from Xavier Booker, showcasing their determination to reclaim the lead.
Ultimately, it was Donovan Dent's layup that sealed the victory for UCLA, capping off a remarkable performance in a game that highlighted both teams' strengths and weaknesses. The Bruins' victory not only boosts their confidence moving forward but also serves as a reminder of their potential in the league as they prepare for the remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ILL -6.5 | 146.5 o -112 / u -108 | Illinois Fighting Illini -290 · UCLA Bruins +235 |
Leaders
- PointsEric Dailey Jr.20UCLA Bruins
- AssistsDonovan Dent15UCLA Bruins
- ReboundsEric Dailey Jr.6UCLA Bruins
- PointsKeaton Wagler19Illinois Fighting Illini
- AssistsKeaton Wagler6Illinois Fighting Illini
- ReboundsKeaton Wagler8Illinois Fighting Illini
Recent form
UCLA Bruins
Last 10: 6-4Streak L274.5 scored · 73.9 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L59-82at Michigan State SpartansFeb 18
- L56-86at Michigan WolverinesFeb 14
- W77-73vs Washington HuskiesFeb 8
- W98-66vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsFeb 4
- L97-98vs Indiana HoosiersJan 31
- W73-57at Oregon DucksJan 29
- W71-64vs Northwestern WildcatsJan 24
- W69-67vs Purdue BoilermakersJan 21
- L74-86at Ohio State BuckeyesJan 17
- W71-60at Penn State Nittany LionsJan 15
Illinois Fighting Illini
Last 10: 8-2Streak W283.5 scored · 69.1 allowed per game3-1 away
- W101-65at USC TrojansFeb 19
- W71-51vs Indiana HoosiersFeb 15
- L90-92vs Wisconsin BadgersFeb 11
- L82-85at Michigan State SpartansFeb 8
- W84-44vs Northwestern WildcatsFeb 5
- W78-69at Nebraska CornhuskersFeb 1
- W75-66vs Washington HuskiesJan 30
- W88-82at Purdue BoilermakersJan 24
- W89-70vs Maryland TerrapinsJan 22
- W77-67vs Minnesota Golden GophersJan 17
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Illinois Fighting Illini | UCLA Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-69 | 34-67 |
| Field goal % | 41 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 13-42 | 11-28 |
| Three-point % | 31 | 39 |
| Free throws | 25-31 | 16-19 |
| Free throw % | 81 | 84 |
| Rebounds | 43 | 27 |
| Offensive rebounds | 20 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 19 |
| Assists | 19 | 21 |
| Steals | 2 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 5 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 9 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 38 |
| Fouls | 18 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 23 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 13 | 13 |
| Time in front | 63 | 28 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half64-66Donovan Dent makes layup
- 2nd Half65-66Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-66Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-67Donovan Dent makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-69Eric Dailey Jr. makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half69-69Jake Davis makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kylan Boswell assists)
- 2nd Half69-70Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-71Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-71Keaton Wagler makes layup (Tomislav Ivisic assists)
- 2nd Half71-74Eric Dailey Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Donovan Dent assists)
- 2nd Half72-74Tomislav Ivisic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-74Tomislav Ivisic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-77Tyler Bilodeau makes 24-foot three point jumper (Donovan Dent assists)
- 2nd Half73-78Eric Dailey Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-78Keaton Wagler makes layup
- 2nd Half76-78Andrej Stojakovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-80Xavier Booker makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half77-80Andrej Stojakovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-80Zvonimir Ivisic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-80Zvonimir Ivisic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-82Tyler Bilodeau makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half81-82Zvonimir Ivisic makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (Keaton Wagler assists)
- 2nd Half81-83Donovan Dent makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half81-84Donovan Dent makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-84Ben Humrichous makes 30-foot three point jumper (Andrej Stojakovic assists)
- 2nd Half84-85Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half84-86Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half85-86Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-86Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT88-86Tomislav Ivisic makes layup (Keaton Wagler assists)
- OT88-89Tyler Bilodeau makes 23-foot three point jumper (Trent Perry assists)
- OT89-89Kylan Boswell makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT90-89Kylan Boswell makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT90-91Xavier Booker makes 4-foot dunk (Donovan Dent assists)
- OT91-91Tomislav Ivisic makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT92-91Tomislav Ivisic makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT92-92Trent Perry makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT92-93Trent Perry makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT94-93Keaton Wagler makes 4-foot jumper
- OT94-95Donovan Dent makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours UCLA Bruins, below favours Illinois Fighting Illini.
Venue
- Pauley PavilionLos Angeles, CA
- Attendance10036
- OfficialsMike Littlewood, Edwin Young, Andy O'Brien
Elsewhere
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- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond