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Students from UCLA poured onto the campus Tuesday night following the school’s shocking victory against the University of Michigan in the NCAA March Madness tournament. A large and mostly unmasked crowd gathered on Roebling Avenue, a frequent party spot in non-pandemic times, to revel in the school’s win.

“After COVID for a year and a half, we all just want to celebrate,” a student who identified himself as John told the Courier.

“We just knew to come here. No one organized it or anything,” another student said.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) arrived on the scene to extinguish a burning couch in the middle of the road. Although LAPD officers wore riot gear and carried less lethal munitions and zip cuffs, they did not declare an unlawful assembly. The crowd eventually dispersed of its own volition.

“It’s my alma mater and I’m ashamed,” one onlooker in his 50s who declined to give his name told the Courier.

It was a Biblical match-up. David versus Goliath. The underdog, UCLA, against the favorite, University of Michigan. In a stunning upset all the sweeter for its surprise, the Bruins toppled over the Wolverines 51 to 49 on Tuesday night, sending themselves to the Final Four for the first time in 13 years. They play the undefeated team from Gonzaga University on Sunday.