Tyler Bilodeau calls a clutch 3-point play

The UCLA Bruins delivered their biggest moment of the season on Tuesday night, and he came exactly when the Bruins needed him the most. In a packed Pauley Pavilion, Tyler Bilodeau emerged as the hero as he buried a clutch 3-pointer with just eight seconds remaining to put UCLA up a solid 69-67 against the No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers.

The decisive play was put on by Donovan Dent, author of one of his most complete plays of the year. After Purdue turnovers opened the door late, Dent calmly inbounded the ball, looked down the floor and found Bilodeau spaced around the rim. As the clock ticked, Bilodeau stepped up into the shot and knocked him downgiving UCLA the edge that they won’t surrender.

TILLER BILODEAU CALLED GAME 💥 pic.tvitter.com/VdTMmtrEoU

— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) January 21, 2026

Indentation controlled second half calm and aggressivefinished with a double-double of 23 points and 13 assists. His late three-point assist cut Purdue’s lead. While Eric Daly Jr. also played an important role, contributing 12 points and seven rebounds, including a critical fast break that put the Bruins within one.

Purdue came out on top after taking a 67-61 lead with less than two minutes remaining, but the turnovers proved costly. The Boilermakers were unable to score again, with repeated turnovers and turnovers, despite strong nights from CJ Cox and Braden Smith. UCLA capitalized on those mistakes, using defensive pressure and timely execution to take control.

The game itself was a story of momentum. UCLA closed the first half with a 17-5 run to erase an early deficit, then withstood Purdue’s pressure before pulling off its late upset. However, Braden Smith tried to turn things around and took the last three, but missed. When Purdue’s final three-point attempt missed, Pauley Pavilion erupted as the Bruins secured a signature victory, shocking the Boilermakers.

For a UCLA team that has been looking for consistency and a defining moment amid navigating a strong road schedule, this win could serve as a turning point. With conference play heating up, the Bruins now have proof they can perform under pressure — and a clutch scorer they can trust when the season’s biggest moments arrive.