Arizona Basketball uses late, second half surge in victory

TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 15: Guard Kerr Kriisa #25 talks to center Oumar Ballo #11 of the Arizona Wildcats in a huddle during the first half of the game against the Northern Colorado Bears at McKale Center on December 15, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 15: Guard Kerr Kriisa #25 talks to center Oumar Ballo #11 of the Arizona Wildcats in a huddle during the first half of the game against the Northern Colorado Bears at McKale Center on December 15, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

TUCSON, AZ – Fresh off a big win over Illinois, No. 8 Arizona Basketball (10-0, 1-0), returned to action on Wednesday, coming away with the 101-76 victory. 

No. 8 Arizona Basketball has been playing well to start the year as they have seldom been tested in a few of their big victories. However, on Wednesday the Cats needed a late second-half surge to come away with the 101-76 victory.

From the start, things were a bit back and forth for the Cats. Despite jumping out to a 10-5 lead early on, Northern Colorado would keep things close for much of the first half, pulling ahead 20-17 and again 23-22 before the Cats’ high-potent offense came to life.

Responding with a 10-0 run, Arizona would jump out in front 32-23 with 7:24 to play, but unfortunately with every Arizona run, Northern Colorado had an answer, staying with the Wildcats throughout the first half.

Ending the half by outscoring the Bears 30-29, Arizona Basketball went into halftime with just a 52-42 advantage.

Needing a big second half, Arizona would find themselves in a battle for much of the second half, especially as Northern Colorado pulled within four at 71-67 with 11:10 to play after Matt Johnson’s made three-pointer.

Luckily, the Wildcats would finally catch fire late in the second half as they would use a 24-7 run over the next eight minutes of play to pull ahead 95-74.

Arizona would then go on another mini-run, outscoring the Bears 6-2 to close things out, giving the Wildcats the 101-76 victory to keep them perfect.

So where does Arizona Basketball go from here?

Following their win, the Wildcats will now have a short break before they return to action on Saturday to take on Cap Baptist at home.

That game should be one final tune-up before the Cats then have to travel to Knoxville to take on No. 18 Tennessee next week.

Listen to head coach Tommy Lloyd following the teams’ victory over Northern Colorado!

Schedule

Schedule