Mick Cronin Earns 500th Win as UCLA Tops Ohio State

Aday Mara, UCLA’s towering 7-foot-3 center, made a significant impact in the Bruins’ 69-61 victory over Ohio State, honoring the late Bill Walton in his own way. With UCLA holding a narrow lead, Mara’s dunk and subsequent layup through contact energized the team and the crowd of 9,015 at Pauley Pavilion.

Mara’s contributions extended beyond scoring, as he also delivered a crucial block on Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton, a steal, and a jump hook in the final minutes. “I thought he changed us,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said, highlighting Mara’s energy and the crowd’s enthusiastic response.

Mara finished the game with 10 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, playing a pivotal role in the second half. Skyy Clark’s late three-pointer sealed the victory for the Bruins, who bounced back from their previous loss to Minnesota.

The win marked Mick Cronin’s 500th career victory, making him the youngest active coach to reach this milestone. The team’s improved free-throw shooting, making 15 of 20 attempts, contributed to the win.

After the game, Mara, Clark, and Eric Dailey Jr. wore commemorative T-shirts celebrating Cronin’s achievement. The players considered giving Cronin a celebratory shower but decided against it due to the presence of family and a celebratory cake.

Dailey broke out of a scoring slump with 20 points, while Clark added 13. Sebastian Mack contributed 11 points off the bench, and Kobe Johnson grabbed 13 rebounds. Bruce Thornton led Ohio State with 21 points, but the Buckeyes struggled with their shooting, making only 31.7% of their attempts.

The game also served as a tribute to Bill Walton, who passed away in May. UCLA players wore warmups with a tie-dye design featuring Walton’s name and number, and Grateful Dead music played throughout the arena.