Arizona Wildcats Show Toughness in Win Over USC 90-77

Arizona Wildcats remained focus and determined against the USC Trojans, with a 90-77 win.

With the biggest game of the year coming up, this Saturday at home vs No.5 ranked UCLA Bruins, the Arizona Wildcats needed to take care of business against the USC Trojans. Most of the first half play was ugly, but the Wildcats were able to overcome a nine-point deficit and take control the last 25 minutes of the game. Allonzo Trier led the team with a season-high 25 points and the Cats won 90-77.

The Wildcats extended their home winning streak to 21 games and kept them in the running for a possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. A lot of scenarios would need to play out for that to happen, but as long as the Wildcats keep on winning anything is possible. Contributors at ZonaZealots recently discuss their opinion on this, check it out!

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For the USC Trojans, this loss is their third in a row and puts them in a tie for fifth in the Pac-12 standings. They still have an outside shot of making the NCAA Tournament, but will need to finish out the regular season strong and do well in the Pac-12 Conference tournament.

Early in the first half, there were a lot of missed easy shots around the basket and poor defense by the Wildcats. The Trojans took full advantage of this by extending their lead to nine points late in the first half. The Cats started to increase the defensive intensity, which led to easy fast break points.

With around 5 minutes to go in the half, the Wildcats offensive woke up!  They went on a 6-0 run, which included this three-point shot at the buzzer by Trier. Zo led the team with ten points and was 3-5 from 3-point range in the first half.

The second half was one of the Wildcats best! Trier continued where he left in the first half, including this highlight dunk!

https://twitter.com/AZATHLETICS/status/834980299586985985

Everyone was contributing in the second half. Parker Jackson-Cartwright had zero points in the first half, but finished the game with ten points and was 3-5 from 3-point range. Cartwright is now 15 for 23 in his last three-point attempts, and that’s pretty good! His energy and overall performance on both ends of the court is what stood out. His block on the Trojan’s leading scorer Bennie Boatwright (who finished the game with 23 points), was the highlight of the night!

Who you calling Mighty Mouse now?

Even with Lauri Markkanen having an off night with 11 points and seven rebounds, the Cats were able to maintain a lead through the second half. Both Kadeem Allen and Rawle Alkins had solid games, showing off their defensive abilities, as well as their ability to get key shots when it counts. Alkins had 12 points and four rebounds. Coach Sean Miller spoke about Rawle’s performance in his post-game presser, “Rawle is one of our Pillars, one of our cornerstones, he hasn’t missed a practice, he hasn’t missed a game.”

Allen finished the game with eight points and five rebounds, including this strong drive to the basket.

Chance Comanche, Kobi Simmons, and Dusan Ristic, made a key difference with the overall toughness they showed. Comanche finished the game with six points and one rebound. Both Simmons and Ristic came off the bench and played well. Simmons had eight points and one rebound.  Ristc had ten points and three rebounds. Key stats that Coach Sean Miller would be proud of tonight:

• Total of eight turnovers the entire game, which led to 23 points off of turnovers.
• Out rebounded the Trojans in total rebounds 30-27.
• Finished the game 11-20 from 3-point range – that will win you many games!

A win is a win and at this point in the season, you’ll take it! It wasn’t the prettiest of games in the beginning, but as its been a common theme throughout the season for the Wildcats, they found a win. Cartwright explains that as a team they certainly have things to work on and things to be proud of.

Next: Arizona Football Position Breakdown: The Linebackers

The game everyone has had circled on their calendars is upon us! Doesn’t get any bigger then this. With the UCLA Bruins win against the ASU Devils 87-75, there is a lot on the line Saturday evening at McKale Center. Who will come out victorious? Stayed tuned for the battle of the Pac-12 elite!