DOLLAR CLOSES WITH A DASH FROM THE PAST : UCLA 87, WASH. ST. 86.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

There was no other way to end it, really. No more fitting way to cap the most bizarre regular season in UCLA history than with the strangest finish of the year.

In a season that included a coaching change and the school's worst loss ever, why shouldn't Cameron Dollar become Tyus Edney for 3.6 seconds and dash through Washington State's defense for the game-winning basket?

``He was Cameron Edney,'' Bruins guard Toby Bailey said after an 87-86 victory Saturday afternoon before 7,926 at Friel Court.

Here's how he did it: After Isaac Fontaine's free throws gave the Cougars an 86-85 lead with 4.5 seconds left, J.R. Henderson inbounded the ball to Charles O'Bannon. He passed to Dollar, who raced upcourt, dribbled past several Cougars defenders, then banked in a difficult layup while fading to his right - just like Edney - with .9 seconds left.

``I was nervous because they were denying me (the inbounds pass),'' Dollar said. ``I saw J.R. throw it over my head and I thought, `Where's it going?' Then I saw Chuck had it. As soon as I got it, I was going to the rack.

``I wouldn't go that far (comparing it to Edney's mad dash). But it is kind of eerie.''

Tired and uninspired, the Bruins (21-7, 15-3) were not at their best Saturday. They were a step slow defensively and could not contain Fontaine, who scored 33 points in his final home game. But they turned it on when needed - rallying from an 84-79 deficit with two minutes left.

``When you've clinched the Pac-10 title, when you're in the tournament and the last thing you're fighting for is a seed, there isn't a lot at stake,'' coach Steve Lavin said. ``But overcoming adversity, overcoming hurdles - it's consistent with the entire season.''

The locker-room mood was a mix of celebration and anticipation. Many coaches and players believe the Bruins deserve a No. 2 or 3 seed when the NCAA Tournament pairings are announced today at 3:30. But after last year's disappointment, they're ready for anything.

``It's like tarot cards or astrology - you just don't know,'' Lavin said.

Several factors determine the seeds: Division I-A winning percentage, strength of schedule, strength of opponents' schedule, record in the last 10 games and performance against teams ranked 1-10, 11-25, 26-50 and 51-100 in the power ratings. Head-to-head and conference records count, but no more than other factors. The top-25 polls have no bearing.

The selection committee's prime directive is balancing the brackets, but when possible it keeps the highest seed from each conference in its home region.

Last year, for the first time ever, the Pac-10 champ wasn't its highest seed. UCLA won the conference title by three games over Arizona. But in the critical categories - performance against highly-rated teams - the Wildcats were more impressive. They were awarded the higher seed and stayed in the West, while UCLA became the first champ ever sent packing.

This year, however, the Bruins have stronger credentials. They swept the Wildcats, including a win in Tucson three weeks ago. They defeated Duke two weeks ago, which did wonders for their power rating. And with nine consecutive wins, they're surging down the stretch. Also, the committee will consider Jim Harrick's dismissal - and the resulting turbulence - when evaluating UCLA's season.

Everything indicates a slot in the West Regional.

``The Bruins had a soap-opera start, but they're playing well now,'' a committee member said. ``That's what you want. I want to know, `What have you done for me lately?' ''

Based on the most recent power ratings, the Bruins are a No. 3 seed. Could they jump to a No. 2? Perhaps. It'll be difficult to dislodge Kansas, Minnesota, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina and Wake Forest. But they may challenge Utah and Duke for the final No. 2 slots.

Where will the Bruins play? The Nos. 2 and 3 seeds are paired together in the subregional opposite that of the top seed. The most likely scenario places the West's No. 1 in Salt Lake and the Bruins in Tucson, a Pac-10 city, as the No. 3.

``We're looking hopefully at the No. 2 in the West,'' O'Bannon said. ``But it's not that big of a concern.''

All-Pac-10: O'Bannon, Bailey and Jelani McCoy were named all-conference by the league's coaches. But O'Bannon lost the Player of the Year race to Cal guard Ed Gray, who was averaging 25 points per game until a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago.

Dollar and Henderson were honorable-mention selections.

Recruiting news: The Bruins have received a verbal commitment from A.B. Miller High School's Travis Reed, a 6-foot-6 forward, according to a source close to Reed.

MARCH MADNESS '97

Joining the party: Nine more schools received automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament by virtue of conference tournament championships Saturday. Welcome in Boston College (Big East), Coppin State (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference),Jackson State (Southwestern Athletic Conference); Marquette (Conference USA); Miami, Ohio (Mid-American Conference); Montana (Big Sky Conference); St. Joseph's (Atlantic 10); Southwest Texas State (Southland), and Utah (Western Athletic Conference). See Page 4.

Still waiting: Winners of the Atlantic Coast Conference (North Carolina vs. North Carolina State), Big 12 (Kansas vs. Missouri), Southeastern Conference (Kentucky vs. Georgia) and Big West (Pacific vs. New Mexico State), which will be played today.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: UCLA's J.R. Henderson lofts a shot over WSU's Rodrigo de la Fuente, left, and Blake Pengelly.

Associated Press

Box: MARCH MADNESS '97 (see text)