Road Warriors: Arizona Basketball in first place after beating Stanford

Arizona Basketball downs Stanford 73-71 in a squeaker to take sole possession of first place in Pac-12.

We all knew this game wasn’t going to be a slam dunk for the Arizona Basketball team; it was a battle for first place in the Pac-12 against a very hot Stanford team. As we predicted, the game came down to the wire and free-throws were crucial. Arizona Wildcats fans filled the stands or at least the audio on the CBS feed coming in loud and clear with UofA and AR-I-ZON-A chants. That had to help.

Apparently only Deandre Ayton can get called for taunting, no Stanford Cardinal who flexed, pumped or stared down the Wildcats got a technical foul called on them. Especially Ried Travis, who scored a team-high 20 points and ten rebounds (double-double), the cameras got him flexing several times. Yep, no call.

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

The Wildcats came out swinging with Rawle Alkins and Parker Jackson-Cartwright nailing two three’s. These two would help close out the game, without their defense in the final minutes; we don’t know if Arizona would have won that game. The Cats would record eight blocks in the first half from Ayton, Alkins, and Ira Lee. Then a few great shots by Allonzo Trier.

Stanford was feeling their oats and came back towards the end of the first quarter and brought the score within three, 33-31 Arizona ahead. Travis was definitely flexing and pumped up, but not getting in any trouble for any of it. If they call Ayton for it, the conference officials need to call everyone for taunting.

The second quarter continued much like the end of the first with one of the Cardinal flopping and getting the call. Ayton got his fourth foul early in the second period when Head Coach Sean Miller flipped out and got a Technical yelling at the referees. It was about time. The Cats came out of the timeout six points behind but got some life from Dylan Smith who sunk a three and hustled around the perimeter.

Wouldn’t you know it, Miller’s rant may have gotten Arizona a few gifts from the referees. Down 57-51, the Wildcats were desperately looking for a spark. Then Zo found King Rawle in front of his bench for a sweet three to bring the Cats within three.

The announcers were calling it correctly, “Things have flipped — Yes Sir.”

Zo then hit a three-pointer right on cue. Arizona went on an 11-0 run and tied the game at 57.

Stanford’s Michael Humphry, once yelling and flaunting when getting the calls his way, was now grimacing. With Ayton out, Miller had Alkins passing to Dusan, and it worked. Eventually, Alkins was sent to the charity stripe and hit both shots to tie the game up again at 61, cue the AR-I-ZONA chants.

Back and forth it went. Stanford went up by four points and then fouled Trier. I predicted this game would come down to foul shots, and indeed it did. Trier made both, now down one point, Arizona had to make a charge, and Alkins and Ayton played some excellent defense getting the turnover, but Trier missed back-to-back threes. Two minutes left.

Ayton made his first basket of the second half with 1:33 left in the game. PJC was clutch! He stole the ball at half court and drove for a layup. Stanford responded with a layup of their own, up one point, 68-67 with under a minute left.

King Rawle made a layup, didn’t panic, 26 seconds left.

PJC using his quick hands forced a turnover, and the ball went to Arizona, up by one point 69-68. He really did a great job tonight. The senior showed why experience counts, he did not turn the ball over once against Stanford, not once.

Trier was fouled and ripped both of his free-throws. Arizona up three 71-68 with 15 seconds left.

Trier, missing the switch on defense, allowed Pickens to fly by and try a layup when Ayton fouled him. It was his fifth foul, so out of the game he went. And Pickens made his first and missed his second free-throw. KING RAWLE GOT THE REBOUND! But missed the first of two free throws and made the second. Arizona up by three 72-69. Trier fouled Pickens at half court, and back to the line, he went.

Pickens made both free throws with five seconds left. PJC passed it into Trier and he was fouled. Only 4.2 seconds left.

Miller decided not to press. Dorian Pickens brought the ball up the court and dribbled deep into the corner for a three-pointer. But he dribbled right into King Rawle who would have none of that, and he shut it down for good!

At one point the Wildcats were accumulating stats in short bursts.

Here are the final stats, note the total turnovers by the Cats were only nine, that was one of the keys to the game.

Highights:

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Arizona WINS! Wildcats are now 16-4, ad 6-1 Pac-12 sitting in first place! Yeah, baby!