UCF center scores on his own basket on crushing error during team’s first-round loss to UCLA
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In March Madness, it often comes down to the little things, but for UCF center John Bol, his mistake was no small feat. He scored in his own basket.
In the first half of No. 7 UCLA’s 75-71 win over No. 10 UCF on Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Bol scored a rebound on his own basket.
With just under two minutes left in the first half and the shot clock winding down, UCLA guard Donovan Dent fired a desperation 3-pointer. Bol, instead of corralling Dent’s mistake and turning the other way, put the ball in his basket to increase UCLA’s lead to 35-21.
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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, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Image Images)
Points were not credited to any UCLA player.
It was the start of a difficult night for Bol, who went 0-for-5 from the free throw line with an unorthodox free throw move. The 7-foot-2 center scored two points, contributing as many points to his own team as to the other team.
Bol’s own basket wasn’t the only strange occurrence 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, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Image Images)
UCF came close late, erasing a double-digit first-half deficit, but couldn’t cap the comeback, adding further importance 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, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Image Images)
Eric Dailey Jr. led the Bruins with 20 points and five rebounds, while Trent Perry and Xavier Booker each scored 15 points in the win.
UCLA will play No. 2 seed UConn in the round of 32 on Sunday at 8:45 p.m. ET.
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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for News Digital.