Suggs hits the winner, Zags top UCLA

Baylor routs Houston to reach title game

The shot by Jalen Suggs — perfect!

The Gonzaga freshman banked in a shot at the buzzer from just inside the half-court logo Saturday night to lift the Zags to a 9390 overtime win over UCLA and move them one win away from an undefeated season and a national title.

It was the best game of the tournament, and, considering the stakes, maybe the best finish in the history of March Madness — a banker from near midcourt to keep a perfect season alive.

They are the first team to bring an undefeated record into the championship game since Larry Bird and Indiana State in 1979.

The game featured 15 ties and 19 lead changes and an 11th-seeded UCLA team that simply wouldn’t give in. Even though they lost, the Bruins snapped a streak of 27 straight double-digit wins by Mark Few’s team.

The Bruins were the first team to lead Gonzaga in the second half in the tournament and, in fact, had a chance to win it at the end of regulation.

With the game tied at 81, Jules Bernard was taking it hard to the hoop in the final seconds, when Zags forward Drew Timme stepped into the paint, planted his feet and took a charge. BAYLOR 78, HOUSTON 59 >> Nearly two decades ago, Scott Drew decided to leave his comfort zone at tiny Valparaiso for the scandal-plagued basketball program at Baylor, explaining to his father that there was nowhere for the Bears to go but up.

Now, they’re one win away from the top.

Led by Jared Butler and the rest of their backcourt, a defense that refused to give Houston an inch, and a coach intent on making the most of his first trip to the Final Four, the Bears roared to a 78-59 victory Saturday night in their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament semifinals in 71 long years.

Butler scored all 17 of his points in the first half, but just about everyone from Baylor (27-2) got in on the act, with five players scoring in double figures. They doubled up Houston after 10 minutes, built a 4520 lead by halftime and coasted the rest of the way in the first Final Four showdown between schools from the Lonestar State.

They’ll face Gonzaga on Monday night for their first national championship.

DARRON CUMMINGS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., left, picks up a loose ball ahead of Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi (11) during the first half of the Final Four NCAA basketball tournament semifinal game, Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.