UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau celebrates after a three-point basket in the final seconds of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA upsets No. 4 Purdue, hands Boilermakers first Big Ten loss

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 12:25 AM ET

UCLA pulled off its biggest victory of the 2025-26 college basketball season on Tuesday.

The Bruins (13-6, 5-3 Big Ten) took down No. 4 Purdue (17-2, 7-1 Big Ten) in front of a raucous home crowd at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, handing the Boilermakers their first loss of conference play.

The game was tied at 32-32 at halftime, but Purdue pulled ahead by six with 1:56 to go.

The Bruins could've folded. Instead, they answered the bell.

After getting it to a one-point game, UCLA had an opportunity to take the lead in the closing seconds. And take the lead it did, thanks to an ice-cold three from Tyler Bilodeau.

Purdue's C.J. Cox missed a three on the Boilermakers' final possession to close out a massive win for a UCLA squad that is now 11-0 on its home court this season.

Fans storming court after UCLA upsets No. 4 Purdue, 69-67. Tyler Bilodeau holds fours-up high over his head on the way off the court. pic.twitter.com/PBUfR6M1oN
— Ben Bolch (@calpostbbolch) January 21, 2026

"I'm just so excited," Bilodeau told NBC Sports. "Just top to bottom a great performance."

What lies ahead for UCLA, Purdue

The Bruins have struggled with inconsistency at times this season, but have won three of their last four and will take on a Northwestern squad that is 0-7 in Big Ten play on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the sky is still the limit for Purdue, which will head back home to West LaFayette for a huge matchup with No. 11 Illinois on Saturday.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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