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UCLA defeats California, 76-75

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UCLA guard Michael Roll grabbed a loose ball and sank a jump shot with 1.9 seconds remaining as the Bruins scrambled back from a halftime deficit to win 76-75 in overtime at California.

On the game’s decisive play, guard Jerime Anderson tried to make a pass, but the ball was deflected.

Roll made his shot from near the free-throw line.

This game was not expected to be so close, not with UCLA’s losing record and Cal picked to finish among the top two in the Pacific 10 Conference this season. And the Golden Bears controlled the action in the first half.

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The Bruins’ second-half turnaround began with Roll and Nikola Dragovic getting hot, making six of seven from the three-point range.

Then center Reeves Nelson muscled his way inside and -- in a change from the first half -- converted his free throws.

With 3:44 remaining, the score was tied, 58-58, and the game turned into a back-and-forth affair. Both teams had a chance to win at the end of regulation.

UCLA opened up a four-point lead in overtime but Cal fought its way back to tie the score before Roll’s heroics finally gave the Bruins a victory.

-- David Wharton

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