NCAAB · Final

UCLA Bruins Defeat Northwestern Wildcats 71-64

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Pauley Pavilion

UCLA Bruins 71, Northwestern Wildcats 64, 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 Northwestern Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins?

UCLA Bruins beat Northwestern Wildcats 71-64 at Pauley Pavilion on January 24, 2026.

Who was favored in Northwestern Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins?

UCLA Bruins were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -360 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup at Pauley Pavilion, the UCLA Bruins secured a 71-64 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats. This win improves UCLA's home record to 15-6, while Northwestern falls to 9-12 overall. The game showcased the Bruins' ability to maintain control in the second half, ultimately sealing the win despite a resilient effort from the Wildcats.

UCLA entered the game with a home record of 14-6 and a recent form of 6-4 over their last ten games, currently riding a one-game winning streak. They averaged 78.1 points scored and allowed 73.3 points during this stretch. Their last five games saw them score an average of 70.6 points while allowing 69.6 points. In their most recent outing, they narrowly defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 69-67 at home, demonstrating their capacity to win close games.

On the other side, Northwestern had a record of 9-11 and was 4-6 in their last ten games, also on a one-game winning streak. They averaged 73.6 points scored and 70.5 points allowed in that span. Their latest victory came against the USC Trojans, where they won 74-68, providing them with a much-needed boost before facing the Bruins.

When comparing home and away performances, UCLA has been particularly strong at home, boasting a 5-0 record in their last five home games. In contrast, Northwestern has struggled on the road, with a 1-3 record in their last four away games. This disparity in home and away performance was evident as UCLA took control of the game.

The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, where UCLA emerged victorious with a score of 73-69 in a game played away from home. This prior meeting may have provided the Bruins with added confidence going into this matchup.

In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any player absences for either team, suggesting that both sides were at full strength for this encounter.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had UCLA favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 143.5. The odds for UCLA to win outright were -360.0, while Northwestern was listed at 285.0.

Conditions during the game were typical for a basketball contest, with no unusual weather factors affecting play. The focus for viewers was on how both teams managed their offensive strategies and defensive setups, particularly in the second half where UCLA was able to pull ahead and maintain their lead.

The scoring plays in the final moments highlighted the Bruins' ability to execute under pressure. Key plays included Nick Martinelli making driving layups that kept Northwestern within striking distance, but UCLA's Trent Perry and Eric Dailey Jr. successfully converted free throws that helped extend their lead.

Ultimately, the Bruins' victory showcased their resilience and ability to perform at home, while Northwestern will need to regroup as they continue to navigate a challenging season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UCLA -7.5	143.5 o -105 / u -115	Northwestern Wildcats +285 · UCLA Bruins -360

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsTyler Bilodeau18UCLA Bruins
AssistsDonovan Dent5UCLA Bruins
ReboundsEric Dailey Jr.8UCLA Bruins
PointsNick Martinelli20Northwestern Wildcats
AssistsJake West3Northwestern Wildcats
ReboundsNick Martinelli8Northwestern Wildcats

Recent form

UCLA Bruins

Last 10: 6-4Streak W178.1 scored · 73.3 allowed per game5-0 at home

W69-67vs Purdue BoilermakersJan 21
L74-86at Ohio State BuckeyesJan 17
W71-60at Penn State Nittany LionsJan 15
W67-55vs Maryland TerrapinsJan 11
L72-80at Wisconsin BadgersJan 7
L61-74at Iowa HawkeyesJan 3
W97-65vs UC Riverside HighlandersDec 23
W108-87vs Cal Poly MustangsDec 20
W90-77vs Arizona State Sun DevilsDec 18
L72-82at Gonzaga BulldogsDec 14

Northwestern Wildcats

Last 10: 4-6Streak W173.6 scored · 70.5 allowed per game1-3 away

W74-68at USC TrojansJan 22
L58-77vs Nebraska CornhuskersJan 17
L68-79vs Illinois Fighting IlliniJan 15
L75-77at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsJan 11
L66-76at Michigan State SpartansJan 8
L78-84vs Minnesota Golden GophersJan 3
W80-60vs Howard BisonDec 30
L58-61at Butler BulldogsDec 20
W86-70vs Valparaiso BeaconsDec 17
W93-53vs Jackson State TigersDec 13

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	Northwestern Wildcats	UCLA Bruins
Field goals	20-53	26-53
Field goal %	38	49
Three-pointers	7-23	8-18
Three-point %	30	44
Free throws	17-20	11-21
Free throw %	85	52
Rebounds	32	34
Offensive rebounds	8	8
Defensive rebounds	24	26
Assists	13	11
Steals	3	7
Blocks	3	1
Turnovers	9	10
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	6	8
Fast-break points	2	9
Points in the paint	24	30
Fouls	16	13
Largest lead	4	16
Lead changes	4	4
Time in front	7	90

How the scoring went

2nd Half31-43Xavier Booker makes layup
2nd Half34-43Max Green makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jake West assists)
2nd Half34-45Eric Dailey Jr. makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half35-45Tyler Kropp makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half36-45Tyler Kropp makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half36-48Eric Dailey Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Donovan Dent assists)
2nd Half36-50Donovan Dent makes layup
2nd Half36-51Donovan Dent makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half37-51Arrinten Page makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half37-53Tyler Bilodeau makes driving layup
2nd Half40-53Jordan Clayton makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
2nd Half40-55Trent Perry makes 12-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half42-55Angelo Ciaravino makes layup (Jayden Reid assists)
2nd Half42-56Donovan Dent makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half42-58Donovan Dent makes layup
2nd Half43-58Jayden Reid makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-58Nick Martinelli makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half45-58Nick Martinelli makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-60Xavier Booker makes layup
2nd Half46-60Nick Martinelli makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-60Nick Martinelli makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-60Tre Singleton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half49-60Tre Singleton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half49-62Eric Dailey Jr. makes layup
2nd Half50-62Tre Singleton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-62Tre Singleton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half52-62Jake West makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-62Jake West makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-62Max Green makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half56-65Jamar Brown makes 23-foot three point jumper (Trent Perry assists)
2nd Half56-66Trent Perry makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-67Trent Perry makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-67Nick Martinelli makes driving layup
2nd Half60-67Nick Martinelli makes driving layup
2nd Half60-68Eric Dailey Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-69Eric Dailey Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-69Nick Martinelli makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half62-70Trent Perry makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-71Trent Perry makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half64-71Jake West makes driving layup