Unbeaten no more, Arizona Basketball holds on to Defeat No. 3 ASU

The Arizona Basketball team (11-3, 1-0)  knocked off undefeated, and No. 3 ranked rival ASU (12-1, 0-1) on Saturday night.

It has been over 20 years since the last time these two teams faced each other as ranked opponents. On Saturday, the Arizona Basketball team surely did not disappoint.

Coming in with a lot of anticipation, college basketball fans were looking forward to the historical match-up between the Wildcats and Sun Devils. The No. 3 Sun Devils came to Tucson with the hype, and undefeated record on the line.

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In front of a sold-out crowd in McKale, the energy was there for both teams from the tip.

Coming in, we knew Arizona was going to have to defend ASU’s quick, and talented guards. Adversely, the Sun Devils were going to have to try and match Arizona’s size down low.

With the start of conference play for both teams, the Wildcats and Sun Devils came out like gangbusters. Like prized fighters exchanging shots, both teams exchanged buckets and leads all throughout the first half.

Just as we had anticipated, Deandre Ayton was going to be tough to stop. The Big Bahaman was instrumental in the Wildcats holding on to a slim, two-point lead at the half.

Ayton finished the first half with 11 points and eight rebounds. Dylan Smith would add nine points of his own.

Fittingly enough, in a high energy game, especially against your hated rival, there would be some extra curricular activity. ASU head coach Bobby Hurley known for his fiery passion, would have a bit of a shouting match with some Arizona fans, just as he entered the locker room.

The second half would start with the Wildcats seemingly taken the wind out of the Sun Devils’ sails, however, the lead dissipated quickly, as ASU’s potent offense came to life.

Leading 62-50, ASU would go on a 13-2 run to cut Arizona’s lead to just one, with just under eight minutes to play. However, the Wildcats would respond, hitting some clutch shots.

Arizona would once again seemingly start to run away with the game, but ASU was resilient, again, cutting into Arizona’s 12-point lead, and making it just a two-point game in the waning moments.

Luckily, the Wildcats would find just a little magic, once again hitting clutch shots, holding on for the 84-78 victory, knocking off rival ASU, a handing them their first loss of the season!

Allonzo Trier and Ayton would lead the way for Arizona, finishing the game with 23 points each respectively. Dusan Ristic added with 12 of his own as well!

On a historic night between two teams, Trier would also make a little history himself, becoming the 51st Wildcat in school history to score 1,000 career points.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 11-3 (1-0) on the season. Arizona will return to action on Thursday next week at Utah!

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At Zona Zealots, we’re more than happy for the win! Wildcats fans were dying for this game, and wanted nothing more than to hand ASU their first loss. We’re ecstatic the team delivered! Bear Down, Arizona!