Donovan Dent Revives UCLA in 90-77 Win

UCLA flipped a switch and never looked back. The Bruins beat Arizona State 90-77 on Dec. 17, 2025, in a game that felt like a statement. The spark came from Donovan Dent, who found his rhythm, his burst, and his voice. He set the tone, then he set the pace. Arizona State could not match it.

Dent’s Resurgence, and Why It Mattered

Dent played with purpose. He attacked the lane early, got two feet in the paint, and forced choices. Help defenders slid over, and he punished them with quick reads. When Arizona State sagged, he pulled up. When they pressed up, he blew by. His confidence spread through the roster like wildfire.

This was not empty scoring. It was control. Dent guided UCLA into sets, calmed possessions, and ignited transition chances. He used simple actions, like a high ball screen or a drag screen in early offense, to bend the defense. Once bent, it broke.

How UCLA Cracked the Sun Devils

Arizona State opened in a conservative ball screen coverage. UCLA saw it, spaced the floor, and went to work. The Bruins spread shooters to the corners, lifted a wing to the slot, and let Dent read the second defender. It was clinic-level execution.

The keys were simple and sharp:

• Paint touches early in the clock
• Corner spacing that punished late help
• Quick swing-swing passes to reverse the floor
• Bigs sealing inside for easy angles

UCLA also ran smart counters. When Arizona State started to show at the point of attack, the Bruins slipped screens and cut behind the help. A few easy layups cooled the Sun Devils’ aggression. That opened the arc, and the Bruins’ rhythm shots fell.

On misses, UCLA ran. Wings filled lanes. The ball hit the middle, then found the rim or the corner. This forced Arizona State to defend before it was set. That is where the game tilted for good.

The Small Details That Changed the Night

Dent’s footwork in the mid lane stood out. He kept his dribble alive, used a patient stride, then finished with soft touch. He also trusted the skip pass. Those skips stretched the defense, which turned closeouts into blow-by chances for his teammates. UCLA did not rush. It simply kept beating the first weak link it saw.

Arizona State’s Tough Questions

Arizona State fought. The Sun Devils hit timely jumpers and tried to speed UCLA up. But their ball screen coverage was a step slow for long stretches. Rotations arrived late, especially on the weak side. That left corners open, which UCLA hit often enough to keep the floor wide.

The Sun Devils also struggled to finish defensive possessions. UCLA stole extra chances with effort plays, tips, and long rebounds. Each one cut into Arizona State’s margin for error. With Dent steering the tempo, that margin disappeared.

There were bright spots. Arizona State created some offense with active hands. A few backcuts broke UCLA’s pressure. But that surge never lasted. The defensive fixes came a beat late, and the Bruins made them pay.

What This Means Moving Forward

For UCLA, this win is more than a number. It is a template. Dent’s return to form gives the Bruins a clear identity. Play downhill. Space the floor. Trust simple actions and quick decisions. If they keep that blueprint, they carry real weight as conference play approaches. Their ranking outlook improves, and their resume gains a quality notch.

For Arizona State, the film will sting, and it should. The Sun Devils need sharper ball screen rules, stronger weak-side help, and better rebounding discipline. They have offensive pieces. They must turn stops into runs and erase those second chances. The Big 12 grind will demand it.

The Bottom Line

Dent changed the game, then UCLA followed. The Bruins had answers, on time and on target. Arizona State could not slow the tide. On a night that started fast and only got faster, UCLA controlled the details and the scoreboard. If this is the version of Donovan Dent we see from here on out, the Bruins just raised their ceiling, and everyone in their path will feel it.