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UCLA Stuns No. 4 Purdue on Bilodeau’s Late 3 as Dent Shines

Coach Mick Cronin used the upset to criticize the Big Ten’s travel-heavy slate for his team.

Jan 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3), guard Trent Perry (0), guard Donovan Dent (2) and forward Xavier Booker (1) celebrate after a 3-point basket by forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) in the final seconds of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers in action against the USC Trojans at Galen Center on January 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) reacts after making a go-ahead 3-pointer with eight seconds left in the second half of their Big Ten game against Purdue on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins held on to upset the fourth-ranked Boilermakers, 69-67. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
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Overview

  • Tyler Bilodeau hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 8.4 seconds left to seal a 69-67 win, set up by Donovan Dent’s 13th assist of his 23-point night.
  • The loss snapped Purdue’s nine-game winning streak and marked its first Big Ten road defeat, with Nebraska moving into sole possession of first place.
  • UCLA closed on an 8-0 run and held the nation’s top offense to 3-for-14 from three, turning late Purdue turnovers into decisive points.
  • Braden Smith, listed as questionable after a knee knock at USC, started but finished with 12 points, four assists and costly late giveaways.
  • The result counts as a Quad 1 victory that substantially strengthens UCLA’s NCAA tournament resume after a road-heavy start to league play.