Arizona Basketball uses late push to Run past the Utes
The Arizona Basketball team (12-3, 2-0) completed their second conference game against Utah, running away with the game late.
It was a good road challenge for the Arizona Basketball team on Thursday night, but the Wildcats stepped up, rising to that challenge.
Always a tough trip heading into Salt Lake City, but Arizona responded well. On ‘Red Out’ night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, the Utes were out in full force.
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Luckily, from the tip, the Wildcats brought the intensity, jumping out to an early 11-3 lead. However, with every run Arizona made, Utah would seemingly come right back.
At one point, the Wildcats would push the lead to 17 points with over seven minutes to go in the first half. The Utes would respond though, cutting the Wildcat lead down to just eight points.
Arizona would finish strong in the first half, finishing with a 10-4 run, leading the Utes 46-32.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright would lead the team in scoring with 13 points. Rawle Alkins would be just right behind him with nine of his own.
HALFTIME
— ZonaZealotsFS (@ZonaZealots) January 5, 2018
Arizona up 14, 46-32 over Utah@unrulymino0 with a team-high 13 points, 3 rbs, 1 ast, 1stl@Iam_RawleAlkins 9 points, 3 rbs, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk@RealDeandreAy 5 pts, 6 rbs, 1 ast. 1 blk@ISO_ZO 5 pts, 3 ast pic.twitter.com/Dm9qucwjzV
The Wildcats would begin the second half a bit sluggish, allowing Utah to slowly climb back into this one. Junior Allonzo Trier would be pretty non-existent in this one, scoring just two points in the second half, while shooting 0-3 from the field.
With every run the Wildcats would make in the second, the red hot Utes came right back. The Utes would tie it a couple times in the second half, but thanks to the continued play of Jackson-Cartwright, Alkins, and the emergence of Deandre Ayton, Arizona would hold on 94-82.
Arizona (NOW 12-3) WINS!
— ZonaZealotsFS (@ZonaZealots) January 5, 2018
Made 30 out of 36 FTS (82.3%) and 23 second-chance points@RealDeandreAy with a team-high 24 pts, 14 rb, 1 as. 2 bl@Iam_RawleAlkins 22 points, 7 rbs, 3 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk@unrulymino0 19 points, 4 rbs, 3 ast, 2 stl@ristic_dusan 11 points, 9 rb 3 as pic.twitter.com/cmDeJ6KC3G
Ayton would also finish with his eleventh double-double this season!
With the victory, the Wildcats move to 12-3 (2-0) on the season, winning their ninth straight game as well. Arizona will return to action on Saturday versus Colorado to conclude this road trip.
The Buffaloes should be riding high heading into this one, after knocking of No. 4 ASU in Boulder. Saturday’s game is set for 12 MST/ 11 PST.
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At Zona Zealots, we are thrilled for the Wildcat victory, and only hope this momentum carries into the weekend! Bear Down, Arizona!