This post was updated Dec. 8 at 7:02 p.m.

Dylan Andrews tried to single-handedly will his squad to the last-ever Pac-12 tournament in 2024. It was arguably his best game as a Bruin.

But as the then-sophomore guard’s layup rattled out and time expired, the final buzzer not only signified Oregon’s victory but echoed the Bruins’ disappointing 16-17 season – their worst finish since coach Mick Cronin took over at the helm.

Less than a year later, the Bruins found themselves in new territory with a new team – but an identical foe across the court. And this time, the buzzer echoed – now roaring Andrews’ redemption.

“We lost to them in the Pac-12 playoffs, but not only that, but we lost to them here, and so we had fire in our eyes coming into the game, and we wanted to get the W and do whatever it takes to get that,” Andrews said.

In a game that saw 21 made 3-pointers, UCLA men’s basketball (8-1, 2-0 Big Ten) earned its redemption against No. 12 Oregon (9-1, 1-1) on Sunday afternoon in Eugene. The contest marked the Bruins’ first against a ranked opponent and their first true away game of the season.

Just like last March, Andrews put the team on his back. And the payoff was as sweet as the effort.

After turning the ball over in the dying embers of the game, UCLA allowed Oregon to rob the game’s lead as guard Jackson Shelstad put the Ducks up 71-70. The Bruins were about to fall once again.

But Andrews had one final say – a step-back 3-pointer that banked off the backboard and carried his team to a two-point advantage with virtually no time on the clock. His heroics delivered, and UCLA clinched its second Big Ten victory and first triumph over a ranked opponent. 

“He (Oregon center Nate Bittle) was playing so far back that when I took the dribble, he went so far back, making it an easier shot for me to get off,” Andrews said. “During those times, you see the ball in slow motion. You see it going towards the backboard, and so the rest is history.”

Andrews’ dagger worked as a fitting exclamation point for the game’s narrative. 

While UCLA’s greatest strength usually comes from its stifling defense – a unit that ranked first in the nation in scoring defense entering the affair, conceding an average of 53.1 points per game – it was the Bruins’ 3-point shooting that steered them to victory.

As a team, UCLA converted 12 of its 3-pointer attempts, ending the game shooting 52.2% beyond the arc. Individually, senior guard Kobe Johnson led the shootout with three triples on 60% shooting from three. Andrews also contributed from deep, knocking in two 3-pointers.

“Everybody’s starting to be on one page – we know what everyone wants to do. We know how to find people,” said sophomore guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. “Defensively, we are getting better and better each time we play. Offensively, we are getting better, and we are just being a tough team.”

Entering the conference matchup, UCLA’s leading scorer and rebounder was junior forward Tyler Bilodeau, averaging 14.1 and 6.1, respectively. The Oregon State transfer’s struggles against Oregon – having never beaten the Ducks – continued Sunday afternoon, logging just seven points and four rebounds on 27.3% shooting from the field.

Instead, spearheading the Bruins’ offense was Dailey, who posted his best performance in a UCLA uniform with 19 points and five rebounds on 87.5% shooting from the field and 75% shooting from deep.

“I was just taking whatever the defense gives me,” Dailey said. “Every day is a different game, different type of playstyle. With me, I just try to rebound as much as I can. … My teammates trusted me today, and we got the win. That’s the main thing.”

Amid the Bruins’ uncharacteristic efficiency from long range, though, the team’s defense still made sure its presence was felt, garnering 13 turnovers – a slight decrease from its average of 18.9 forced turnovers per game, third best in the nation.

Dailey led the Bruins’ defensive efforts, garnering two steals. While UCLA failed to record a single block, it filled the steal category with six different Bruins logging a takeaway. However, Cronin felt that the Bruin defense was lackluster down the final stretch.

“We got work to do with our late-game defense,” Cronin said. “No block-out at the foul line. We gave up an and-one. We gave up an out-of-bounds play foul. We didn’t step out on the last play, so defensively we were not ourselves at the end of the game, so we tried to give it (the game) away. We just got fortunate we got a shot to go in at the end.”

UCLA’s most underrated trait often seems to be its ability to spread the ball and consequently its scoring. Entering the contest, the Bruins boasted three players averaging at least 10 points and nine averaging at least five a game.

And this trend didn’t stop in the Pacific Northwest. Four Bruins eclipsed at least 10 points, while two more had at least five. Despite scoring 10 points, sophomore guard Sebastian Mack struggled after posting his best performance of the season against Washington last week, when he recorded 16 points and five rebounds.

Sunday’s showdown against a top-15 opponent was just UCLA’s first high-stakes duel of the holiday season – it’ll take on No. 20 North Carolina and No. 7 Gonzaga within the next three weeks.