TUCSON, AZ- After losing an unprecedented seven-straight games, the Arizona Basketball team (16-12, 7-8) had a monstrous weekend.
Losing and Arizona Basketball. Those aren’t words you hear very often, and through the 28 games played this year, the Wildcats have lost 12 times, their most since the 2011-12 season.
Needing a huge spark, the Wildcats returned to McKale this weekend for some basketball action, and hopefully some wins.
Arizona Wildcats
Against Cal, the Cats came out confident, looking unfazed by playing the worst team in the conference. Arizona took full advantage from the start and didn’t look back, beating the Bears handily and ending the long, seven-game losing streak.
However, could Arizona do it again? Finally, after a few days off, Arizona had an even bigger challenge with Stanford coming to town.
From the beginning, the Cats got off to a big start, jumping out to a 14-3 lead with just over four minutes to play in the first half. Perhaps sparked by the eminent return of freshman sensation Brandon Williams, Arizona looked as focused as we’ve seen from them in quite some time.
They would eventually finish the half strong, despite Stanford’s best attempts to keep this close. The Cardinal would pull within three with 7:56 to play, however, Arizona would finish the half on a 9-4 run to lead at the break, 31-23.
Arizona was sparked primarily Chase Jeter in the first half, as the redshirt junior had 10 points and three rebounds.
Without really skipping a beat, the Wildcats began the second half seemingly exchanging buckets for the first 13 minutes or so.
Leading 58-46 with 7:17 to play, the Cats would finish the game on a 12-8 run, pacing themselves to the 70-54 win.
Arizona sophomore Ira Lee would finish the game with a team 16 points, while Jeter would finish with 14, and Justin Coleman added with 14 of his own. In his first game back, Williams would finish the game with four points and three assists in 18 minutes played.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 16-12 (7-8) on the year, and will return to action on Thursday, when they take on the Oregon State Beavers (17-9, 9-5) in Corvallis, followed by the Oregon Ducks (15-12, 6-8) on Saturday.
Listen to head coach Sean Miller following the Cats’ win!
At Zona Zealots, we are glad to see the Wildcats get back to their winning ways, and only hope Arizona can continue to get healthy and finish the year strong! Bear Down, Arizona!