The year was 1968, and college basketball was about to witness one of the most iconic games in its history. The Houston Cougars, unbeaten and ranked number one in the nation, traveled to Los Angeles to face the UCLA Bruins, the defending champions. The game had been hyped for weeks and was dubbed as the 'Game of the Century.' The atmosphere inside the Pauley Pavilion was electric, with over 12,000 fans packed inside.

The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets and momentum swings. But, it was the second half where the game truly ignited into a classic. Elvin Hayes, Houston's star player, put on an impressive display of dominance, scoring left and right. But UCLA's Lew Alcindor was not to be outdone. The 7'2 center went toe-to-toe with Hayes, scoring an astonishing 39 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

As the game marched towards its conclusion, the Pauley Pavilion felt more like a pressure cooker about to burst. With just seconds remaining, UCLA trailed Houston by one point, and they had one last chance to win. Alcindor received an inbound pass, turned around, and put up an off-balance shot, and it went in. The crowd erupted, and the UCLA bench emptied onto the court as they celebrated their hard-earned victory.

The game between UCLA and Houston is still remembered as one of the greatest college basketball games ever played. The contest had everything: top-ranked teams, high-scoring stars, and a dramatic finish. It left an indelible mark on the sport, and it is a reminder of why we love basketball – for the thrills, excitement, and heroics that come with each game.