If you were watching the UCLA Bruins men's basketball vs Washington basketball game on December 3, 2025, you probably need a nap. It was exhausting. Not the "slow, grinding Big Ten" kind of exhausting people joked about when these West Coast teams moved East, but the high-stakes, heart-thumping kind.
UCLA escaped Seattle with an 82-80 victory.
But "escaped" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. With five minutes left, Mick Cronin’s squad was up by 16. It looked like a blowout. Then the Huskies, led by a monster performance from freshman Hannes Steinbach, went on a 17-2 run that nearly tore the roof off Alaska Airlines Arena.
The Skyy Clark Show in Seattle
Skyy Clark has had a journeyman's career, but he finally found his home in a UCLA jersey. He was unconscious from deep. He hit his first six three-pointers. Every time Washington tried to build momentum in the first half, Clark would pull up and silence the crowd. He finished with 25 points, his highest total since joining the Bruins.
The efficiency was just silly.
He didn't just score; he made the right reads. When Washington finally started selling out to stop his shot, he deferred to Donovan Dent, who navigated the Husky defense like he had a GPS. Dent ended with 17 points and eight assists, proving why he was the Mountain West Player of the Year before transferring to Westwood.
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A Homecoming for Tyler Bilodeau
Tyler Bilodeau wasn't even supposed to be 100%. He had been dealing with a knee strain, and there were whispers he might sit this one out. Instead, the Kennewick, Washington native returned to his home state and dropped 21 points.
His second-half stretch was legendary.
He scored 16 straight points for UCLA. 16. It was a personal 16-10 run against the entire Washington roster for about five minutes. That spurt is ultimately what built the cushion UCLA needed to survive the late-game collapse.
Why Washington Nearly Pulled the Upset
Honestly, Washington should have lost by twenty. They were down 76-60 with 4:45 on the clock. Most teams pack it in at that point. Not Danny Sprinkle’s group.
Hannes Steinbach is a name you’re going to hear in NBA Draft lottery conversations. He went 11-of-12 from the floor for 29 points and 10 rebounds. He’s a 7-footer who moves like a wing and has the touch of a guard. He single-handedly kept the Huskies in it, scoring nine points during that frantic final run.
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Zoom Diallo, the highly-touted freshman guard, showed flashes of brilliance too. He had 19 points and nearly sent the game to overtime with a desperation three at the buzzer that rattled off the rim.
The Husky comeback was fueled by:
- A full-court press that forced UCLA into uncharacteristic turnovers.
- Steinbach’s dominance in the paint against Xavier Booker.
- Quimari Peterson hitting a clutch triple to bring the game within one point (78-77).
The Big Ten Era is Different
This wasn't a Pac-12 game. The physicality was up a notch. Mick Cronin mentioned after the game that "conference basketball" means you aren't blowing anyone out. He’s right. The depth of the Big Ten means even a 16-point lead in the final minutes isn't safe.
UCLA is now 9-0 in its last nine conference openers. Cronin is 7-0. The guy just knows how to win the first one.
The Bruins' defense, usually their calling card, looked porous late. They allowed Washington to shoot over 50% from the field. That’s not going to fly when they have to travel to places like Purdue or Michigan later this season.
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Head-to-Head History: Bruins Own the Series
Despite the close call, UCLA continues to dominate this specific matchup. They’ve won 12 of the last 13 against the Huskies. Historically, it’s even more lopsided, with UCLA holding over 100 wins in the series dating back to the 1930s. Washington hasn't had a consistent answer for the Bruins in years, though this 2025-26 Husky team feels more dangerous under Sprinkle than previous iterations.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
If you’re a UCLA fan, you’re happy with the win but worried about the bench. The starters did almost all the heavy lifting. Eric Dailey Jr. is still getting back to full strength, and they need more from the second unit if they want to compete for a Big Ten title.
For Washington, it’s about moral victories—which don’t help in the standings, but they do help in recruiting. They proved they can run with the #12 team in the country.
Upcoming Schedule Highlights:
- UCLA vs Purdue (Jan 20, 2026): A massive test for their interior defense.
- Washington vs Oregon (Jan 25, 2026): A chance to get back on track in Seattle.
- The Rematch: Washington travels to Pauley Pavilion on February 7, 2026.
If the rematch is half as good as the opener, clear your schedule.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Replay: If you missed the last four minutes of the December 3rd game, find the highlights. The 17-2 Husky run is a clinic in desperation basketball.
- Track Hannes Steinbach: Keep an eye on his box scores. If he continues this efficiency (90%+ shooting), he won't be in college for long.
- Buy Rematch Tickets Early: The February 7th game in Los Angeles is likely to be a sellout given how close this first meeting was.
The transition to the Big Ten has changed the travel, the TV times, and the jerseys, but it hasn't changed the fact that UCLA and Washington produce some of the most entertaining basketball in the country.