UCF center scores at own basket in crushing blunder during team’s first-round loss to UCLA

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InMarch Madness, it often comes down to the little things, but for UCF center John Bol, his blunder was not a little thing.He scored at his own basket.

In the first half ofNo.7 UCLA’s75-71 win over No.10 UCF Friday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, Bol tapped a rebound into his own basket.

With just under two minutes left in the first half and the shot clock winding down, UCLA guard Donovan Dent shot a desperation 3-pointer.Bol, instead of corralling Dent’s miss and turning the other way, tapped the ball into his basket to increase UCLA’s lead to 35-21.

UCF Knights center John Bol (7) reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., March 20, 2026.(Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)

The points were not credited to aUCLA player.

It was the beginning of a rough night for Bol, who went 0-5 from the free throw line with an unorthodox free throw motion.The 7-foot-2 center scored two points, contributing as many points to his own team as he did to the other team.

Bol’s own basket was not the only odd event during the game.UCLA guard Skyy Clark also lost a tooth during the game.

UCLA’S SKYY CLARK LOSES FRONT TOOTH IN MARCH MADNESS THRILLER TO HELP BRUINS SEAL FIRST-ROUND VICTORY

UCF Knights guard Riley Kugel (2) and center John Bol (7) react in the first half of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., March 20, 2026.(Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)

UCF made it close late, erasing a double-digit deficit from the first half, but was not able to cap the comeback, adding more significance to Bol’s own basket.

Jordan Burks led UCF in the loss with 22 points and six rebounds.Jamichael Stillwell (10 points), Themus Fulks (10 points) and Riley Kugel (13 points) were the only other players to score in double figures in the loss.

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UCF Knights center John Bol reacts in the first half of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., March 20, 2026.(Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

Eric Dailey Jr.led the Bruins with 20 points and five rebounds, while Trent Perry and Xavier Booker each had 15 points in the win.

UCLA will play No.2 seedUConn inthe Round of 32 Sunday at 8:45 p.m.ET.

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