Gonzaga downs UCLA on late 3 in wild finish

LAS VEGAS -- Julian Strawther hit a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left to answer a 3-pointer by UCLA's Amari Bailey, lifting 3-seed Gonzaga to a wild 79-76 NCAA tournament win over UCLA Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

The Bruins (31-6), the West Region's No. 2 seed, stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the final 1:05 and took a 76-75 lead on Bailey's 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left.

The Zags (31-5) brought the ball up the floor and Strawther stepped into a 3-pointer, sending Gonzaga fans to their feet.

Gonzaga's Malachi Smith stole the ball from UCLA's Tyger Campbell, but Strawther only hit 1-of-2 free throws at the other end, giving the Bruins a chance.

Campbell's 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the back of the rim, sending the Zags rushing off the bench and into the Elite Eight against UConn on Saturday. Gonzaga now has five Elite Eight appearances in the last eight NCAA tournaments -- the most of any team over that span.

Gonzaga's Drew Timme had a game-high 36 points and 13 rebounds. He's the third player with 35 points and 10 rebounds in the Sweet 16 or later since 1985, and the first since Loyola Marymount's Bo Kimble did it in the 1990 Elite Eight, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.