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2021 NCAA Final Four score: Gonzaga survives UCLA with buzzer-beater in OT, advances to national title game

Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs banked in a desperation 3-pointer to beat the buzzer in overtime to  give the Zags a thrilling 93-90 victory over upset-minded UCLA in a classic Final Four game on Saturday in Indianapolis. No. 1 seed Gonzaga had won 29 of its 30 games by double-digits entering the showdown against the No. 11 seed Bruins, but the Bulldogs finally had to survive a close game to keep their perfect record intact. 

The Bruins gave the Zags everything they could handle before Gonzaga squeaked out the victory. UCLA's Johnny Juzang tied it at 90 with a lay-up just seconds before Suggs' heroics.

The Bulldogs, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, will advance to play No. 2 overall seed Baylor in Monday night's national title game.

After scoring 28 points in a 51-49 victory Michigan in the Elite Eight on Tuesday, Juzang turned in another spectacular performance for UCLA with 29 points. But the 6-foot-6 sophomore was whistled for a charge with 1.1 seconds left in regulation while driving for a potential game-winning shot.

That call sent the game to overtime, and from there, Gonzaga center Drew Timme took over with six quick points in the opening two minutes of overtime. The star sophomore finished with 25 points for the Bulldogs, who improved to 31-0 with the victory.

Gonzaga-UCLA was one of the best games in tournament history. An instant epic. Eye on College Basketball recaps all of it below.

Suggs is special

Suggs' 3-pointer at the buzzer will go down in history, and rightfully so. But it wasn't the first time that Suggs rescued Gonzaga. The star freshman registered the highlight of regulation when he came from behind to block Cody Riley's dunk attempt with 2:00 remaining. 

Then, he collected the rebound and rifled a spectacular bounce pass to Timme, who caught it in stride and dunked. The four-point swing put Gonzaga ahead by two and helped it gain momentum it would need to avoid a loss in regulation.

Lovable in defeat

The Bruins' magical run began in the First Four with an overtime victory over Michigan State, and it ended with an overtime loss in the Final Four. In total, four of the Bruins' final seven games went to overtime this season, dating back to a loss against Oregon State in the Pac-12 Tournament.

It's hard to fathom a program with 11 national championships adopting the role of lovable underdog, but this group of UCLA players fit the bill. In particular, Juzang turned in a memorable NCAA Tournament. He became just the second player in UCLA's storied history to record three 25-point games in a single NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

History still available

Gonzaga is seeking to become the first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976, and Saturday's narrow victory protected that opportunity. But Saturday may also have been an indication that the Zags are not invincible. After ripping through a series of overmatched opponents in the West Coast Conference and handling their first four NCAA Tournament opponents without much trouble, the Bulldogs were tested against UCLA.

The Bruins thrived in the mid-range game and proved that some of Gonzaga's perimeter players are not great 1-on-1 defenders. If Juzang and UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. can break down the Bulldogs off the dribble, then Butler's deep trio of guards could have success in attacking the basket and getting to favorable shooting spots as well.

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Live updates
 
@CBSSportsCBB via Twitter
 

No surprise to see Johnny Juzang with 22 points, but it is a surprise to see Joel Ayayi with 22 on 9-of-10 shooting. He's been almost perfect tonight. Wonder if he can hit a clutch shot here.

 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 
@CBSSportsCBB via Twitter
 

Four fouls on Drew Timme. This might really be happening. UCLA isn't going away. Gonzaga isn't pulling away. This is going to be a fight to the finish, and the Bruins have an experience edge in these situations.

 
@CBSSportsHQ via Twitter
 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 

Drew Timme just had 5-foot-11 Tyger Campbell on him and the Zags did not pass him the ball. That's the type of mental error that can get you beat. UCLA just retook the lead.

 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 

Gonzaga has played just one game decided by fewer than 10 points. UCLA would presumably be much more comfortable executing in late-game situations considering the Bruins have been involved in many close games.

 
@CBSSportsHQ via Twitter
 
@CBSSportsCBB via Twitter
 

If UCLA can somehow drag Gonzaga into the mud and create a close finish, perhaps the Bruins would have an experience edge in a close finish.

The Bruins have played six overtime games this season and has a 4-2 record in those contests. The Bruins have been to overtime twice in this NCAA Tournament and are fresh off a thrilling 51-49 regulation victory over Michigan in the Elite Eight.

 
@CBSSportsHQ via Twitter
 

We're up to 15 lead changes and 10 ties, and the game has been tied for over four minutes total. Gonzaga up 4 with 12:08 left.

 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 
@CBSSportsHQ via Twitter
 

Something to monitor: Jalen Suggs appears to be having an issue with his right hand that could alter his ability to shoot. Apparently Nembhard has a little bit of a shoulder issue as well. Physical game, as you might expect.

 

52-all at the u16 timeout. Gotta say Cody Riley has been impressive for UCLA. Holding his own vs. Drew Timme better than Evan Mobley did and providing some offense for the Bruins as well.

 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 

Airball for Jalen Suggs? OK then. 48-all early in the half. Bruins not backing down.

 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 

Jules Bernard just picked up his fourth 11 seconds into the half. No bueno for UCLA. Singleton into the game for the Bruins.

 

So, Gonzaga is leading 24-8 in paint points and both teams have made four 3-pointers. That tells me UCLA has been more reliant on mid-range shots. That seems like an unsustainable formula for the Bruins.

 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 
@CBSSportsHQ via Twitter
 
@marchmadness via Twitter
 

A little foul trouble update:
UCLA: Jules Bernard 3, Tyger Campbell 2, Jaime Jaquez 2
Gonzaga: Joel Ayayi 2, Drew Timme 2, Anton Watson 2

 

61% shooting for Gonzaga may seem unsustainable at first glance, but it's not. The Bulldogs are one of the most-efficient scoring machines in the country, and they regularly shoot 50% or better from the field.

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