UCLA's Loss: Technical Foul Sparks Controversy

On March 23rd, UCLA's NCAA Tournament run ended in a 73-57 loss to Yukon in the second round.

The decisive moment came late in the game when Bruins coach Mick Cronin picked up a technical

foul for what looked like sarcastic clapping after. Officials missed a no-call on a drive by Trent Perry.

With about four minutes 41 seconds left, Perry challenged Yukon's Alice Cariband at the rim

to contact and fell without a whistle. As the Huskies transitioned, the ref hit Cronin

with the tech, sending Cariband to the line for two made free throws that stressed Yukon's

9-point lead to 11. Fans and players buzzed about the call, especially given Cronin's fiery

sideline style and past referee clashes. UCLA struggled all night without leading score

at Tyler Bilado, sideline for a third-strike game by a knee injury, leading to sloppy offense,

poor, rebounding, and fouling shooters from deep. Officials later clarified the technical

under a rule covering unsportsman-like acts from the bench, like disrespectful gestures toward

decisions. No video showed overt disrespect, leaving some to question if Cronin's reputation

factored in. The loss highlights ongoing frustrations for UCLA, but Yukon advances with momentum

from that clutch sequence.