TUCSON, AZ – Enduring an abysmal offensive performance, No. 5 Arizona Basketball (14-2, 3-2) fell flat against Washington State (7-10, 2-4), losing 74-61.
Looking to put their ugly performance of their Washington game behind them, No. 5 Arizona Basketball was back in action inside the friendly confines of the McKale Center to resume Pac-12 play.
Welcoming Washington State to town, the Wildcats came out strong to start as they took an early 7-3 lead, but unfortunately, that would be the highlight in this one as Wazzu outplayed and outshot the Wildcats in this one, running away with the 74-61 win.
Seeing its fair share of struggles offensively and defensively, Arizona shot an abysmal 31.7 percent from the field including 16.0 from three.
Azuolas Tubelis was the lone bright spot for the Cats, scoring 29 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, meanwhile, Oumar Ballo scored just 11 points, and Kerr Kriisa scored 10 points respectively.
Trailing by 10 at the half, No. 5 Arizona Basketball tried to mount a comeback in the second half but was unsuccessful in their double-digit loss.
Much like their game on Thursday evening, this one did not start in Arizona’s favor, especially as Washington State gained the early lead at 13-12, and although Arizona regained the lead at 21-20, unfortunately, that was the last time Arizona led in this one.
Wazzu would respond with a 9-0 run to lead 29-21 with 3:33 to play before ending the half by outscoring Arizona 8-6 to lead 37-27 at the half.
Needing to show some sort of life, the Wildcats would fall behind by 13 early in the second half before cutting Wazzu’s lead to just nine.
Unfortunately, Wazzu would continue to find its rhythm, extending its lead to as many as 18 with 11:14 to play after a made dunk from Mouhamed Gueye to make 55-37, Cougars.
Arizona finally begin to rally as they would cut Washington State’s lead to as little as five with 4:47 to play, unfortunately, that is as close as this would get as the Cougars ended the game by outscoring Arizona 13-5 to come away with the 74-61 win.
FINAL | Washington State 74, Arizona 61
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) January 8, 2023
Back in action on Thursday in Corvallis
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 14-2 (3-2) on the season and will resume basketball action on Thursday when they take on Oregon State in Corvallis. Tip-off against the Beavers on Thursday is set for 9:00 PM MST.
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