It was a hard-fought battle on Saturday in Tucson, as the Arizona Basketball team survives at home versus a pesky Oregon squad.
In a rare, Saturday afternoon game in Tucson, the Wildcats were in a fight against their conference foe, the Oregon Ducks. From the tip, it was clear the Arizona Basketball team was going to have a tough time.
Falling behind early yet again, it is becoming apparent that sluggish starts are a thing for Arizona. Oregon would grab the momentum early on, going up 7-2 in the first two minutes of play.
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Luckily the Wildcats would respond, and that lead dissipated quickly. Arizona would find a better offensive rhythm in this half, compared to their first half against the Beavers just a few days ago.
Arizona would lead by 12 at one point, taking a 21-9 lead, but Oregon would find a bit of a rhythm of their own, making this a close game just before halftime.
Head coach Sean Miller would get a little heated just before the half too, as the Ducks seemingly benefited from a poor call, making it just a three-point game.
Miller would show his displeasure before heading to the locker room, seemingly staring down the refs.
Sean Miller is lLIVID With officials won’t leave the court all the coaches trying to help him not get in trouble, those refs will not make that call again..good sign , means he now feels the team is listening to him 🐻👇🏻 https://t.co/Jx9FpOKwBG
— ZonaZealotsFS (@ZonaZealots) January 13, 2018
And oh yeah, Miller said he had an out of body experience at the end of the half:
Sean Miller on the last possession before halftime when the officials made a questionable call: “I had an out-of-body experience.” pic.twitter.com/PkDmlywxz7
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) January 13, 2018
Arizona would lead 41-38. Deandre Ayton and Dusan Ristic would lead all Arizona’s scorers with 10 points each. Allonzo Trier would add nine of his own.
The second half start would leave off with a lot of energy and emotion carried over from the first. As the Wildcats would begin to seemingly pull away, the Ducks would have an answer.
Jumping out to a 51-40 lead, Oregon would respond, eventually tying the game, and take a brief lead at 58-57 with just over 10 minutes to go in the game.
The two squads would then trade baskets and momentum from then on. Things got a little dicey when Oregon went up 75-71 around the five-minute mark.
Unfazed, the Wildcats used the energy of McKale Center to rally, and regain control of this game! Trier would hit a big-time three-point jumper making it 81-77 in favor of the Wildcats, ultimately sealing the win for Arizona.
From then on, Arizona would rely on ball control and free throws to put this one away for good! The Wildcats would go on to win 90-83.
Trier would lead all Arizona scorers with 25 points, going a perfect 11 for 11 from the charity stripe in this one! Ayton finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Rawle Alkins added 13 of his own.
Senior point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright deserves a ton of credit as well, finishing with 10 points and six assists with ZERO turnovers!
Listen to head coach Sean Miller talk following the win:
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 14-4 overall on the season, and 4-1 in the conference. Arizona will return to action on Wednesday when they take on Cal at Berkeley.
At Zona Zealots, we’re happy for the Wildcats to win, and only hope the momentum continues into next week as well! Bear Down, Arizona!