PULLMAN, WA – Battling all game long, No. 6 Arizona Basketball (18-3, 7-3) was able to outlast Washington State (9-13, 4-7) to earn the hard-fought 63-58 win.
Following their physical win over UCLA on Saturday afternoon, No. 6 Arizona Basketball was back in action, looking to avenge their previous loss against the Washington State Cougars.
Traveling to Pullman to take on a talented but inconsistent Cougars team, Arizona had to bring physicality and intensity in this one. And much like their low-scoring affair against UCLA, luckily for us, the Wildcats were up to the challenge in this one too.
Shooting a combined 44.8 percent from the field, including 8-22 (36.4) from three, the Wildcats weathered inconsistent shooting and 16 turnovers to come away with the hard-fought, 63-58 win.
Overall, it was a combined effort in this one, but ultimately, it was Azuolas Tubelis and Kerr Kriisa leading the way!
Tubelis had a big day as usual, finishing with a game-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. Kriisa came up clutch for the Cats, scoring 15 points on 5-11 shooting (5-10 from three), while also dishing two assists and grabbing five rebounds.
Despite Wazzu keeping this one competitive, No. 6 Arizona Basketball was able to hold on in the end, outlasting the Cougars to avenge their previous loss.
Looking to avenge its previous loss to Washington State, Arizona returned to action in Pullman with a daunting challenge ahead!
From the tip, the Wildcats brought the fight! Jumping out to an early 6-0 lead, Arizona’s hot shooting would continue for much of the first, especially as the Wildcats extended its lead to 21-9 with 11:16 to play in the first.
Unfortunately, that is when Wazzu’s offense would come to life, responding with a 19-11 run to cut Arizona’s lead to just four with 2:40 to play in the first.
Arizona would extend its lead to eight, but Wazzu closed out the half outscoring the Cats 4-0 to trail 36-32 at halftime to Arizona.
Hoping to continue their momentum in the second half, the Wildcats’ defense would need to step up, while the offense would have to limit its turnovers.
Facing a slugfest, Washington State began the half by outscoring Arizona 9-6 over the first 10:14 to play to cut the Wildcats’ lead to just 42-41.
Luckily, the Wildcats were able to respond in a big way, getting its offense to jump out to a 10-point lead with 5:28 to play.
Unfortunately, Arizona’s offense would become a bit stagnant as Wazzu’s defense tightened the clamps, responding with a 6-2 run to cut Arizona’s lead to just four.
Luckily, Arizona was able to hang tough in the end, making just enough plays to come away with the narrow, 63-58 win in Pullman!
Road dub.#BearDown #RunWithUs pic.twitter.com/YNr0MEMwij
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) January 27, 2023
With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 18-3 (7-3) on the season and will resume basketball action on Saturday when they travel to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Tip-off against the Huskies on Saturday is set for 3:300 PM MST.
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