CHICAGO (AP) — Donovan Dent had 23 points and 12 assists, Trent Perry scored 22 points and UCLA beat No. 8 Michigan State 88-84 in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night despite losing star Tyler Bilodeau to a leg injury.
Bilodeau had to be helped off the field late in the first half and had his right knee wrapped on the sidelines in the second half. The Bruins led by 15 points early in the second half and withstood several power plays in the final seconds to advance to the semifinals against No. 18 Purdue, which defeated No. 11 Nebraska 74-58.
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With 25 seconds left in the game, Brandon Williams scored on a fast break layup to give the team an 82-80 lead and chase the score to 4 points. Carson Cooper hit a layup for Michigan State with 12 seconds left. UCLA’s Trent Perry responded immediately with two free throws.
Jeremy Fears Jr. then drove for a layup to make it 86-84 with 6 seconds left. But Perry made two free throws to seal the victory.
When Bilodeau tried to defend Cooper, his leg buckled and he fell to the ground clutching his right knee. The non-contact injury occurred with 3:33 left in the game and the Bruins leading 35-23.
Bilodeau, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, hit two field goals and scored five points in 10 minutes.
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Fiers had 21 points and 13 assists for the Spartans (25-7). Cooper and Kuerten each scored 13 points.
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On Jan. 20, UCLA defeated Purdue 69-67 at Pauley Pavilion when Bilodeau hit a 3-pointer with 8 seconds left to take the lead.
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