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No. 8 Arizona Basketball gets revenge, dominates Utah

By Eric Townsend

TUCSON, ARIZONA - JANUARY 05: Kerr Kriisa #25 of the Arizona Wildcats passes during the game against the Washington Huskies at McKale Center on January 05, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Huskies 70-67. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - JANUARY 05: Kerr Kriisa #25 of the Arizona Wildcats passes during the game against the Washington Huskies at McKale Center on January 05, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Huskies 70-67. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – No. 8 Arizona Basketball (23-4, 12-4) avenged its previous loss to Utah (17-10, 10-6), dominating the Utes, 88-62. 

Returning home to the friendly confines of McKale Center on Thursday evening, No. 8 Arizona Basketball was back in action, looking to get back and track and avenge its previous loss to Utah.

Taking on a talented but inconsistent Utah team, the Wildcats were the favorite in this one; however, it didn’t take long for Arizona to assert its dominance.

Shooting a combined 56.9 percent from the field, including 9-18 (50.0 percent) from three, the Wildcats dominated the Utes, winning 88-62.

Despite Azuolas Tubelis getting into foul trouble again, Arizona’s Kerr Kriisa stepped up in a big way, scoring a team-high 17 points on 6-8 shooting, including a perfect 4-4 from the three. Meanwhile, Courtney Ramey added with 13 points, and Tubelis and Pelle Larsson each added with 11 points each respectively.

Despite Utah hanging tough early, No. 8 Arizona Basketball was able to run away in this one, coming away with the 26-point win.

Looking to avenge its previous loss to Utah and get back on track after losing to Stanford on Saturday, Arizona returned to action with a huge matchup advantage against the Utah Utes.

And from the tip, the Wildcats began to assert their dominance in this one as Arizona climbed out to an 18-9 lead in the first seven-plus minutes of game action.

Luckily, the Wildcats would begin to find its offensive rhythm in the first half, eventually pulling ahead by as many as 17 after Henri Veesaar made a dunk to make it 43-26 with 1:13 to play.

Unfortunately, Utah would close out the half on a 5-0 run to make it 43-31 at halftime.

Looking to continue its dominant play, the Wildcats would begin to pull away a bit in the second, leading by as many as 23. But as the offense grew a little stagnant for Arizona, the Utes climbed back into the game a bit, cutting the Cats’ lead to just 12 with 9:06 to play.

Leading 68-56, Arizona would respond in a big way, closing out the game on a 20-6 run to come away with the dominant, 88-62 win!

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 23-4 (12-4) on the season and will resume basketball action on Saturday when they take on Colorado in Tucson! Tip-off against the Buffaloes is set for 6:00 PM MST!

Must Read. A Nameless Podcast, have you heard? Kerr and Pelle are Media!. light

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