Arizona struggled early, rallied and dug one other huge gap.
The Wildcats scratched their manner again by getting gritty, turning their Pac-12 dwelling finale towards UCLA right into a desert model of a avenue combat.
Oumar Ballo had 17 factors and 13 rebounds, Pelle Larsson scored 22 factors and No. 12 Arizona rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat UCLA 77-71 on Saturday within the rivals’ last Pac-12 recreation at McKale Middle.
“The sport actually combating to eight hours for me,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd stated. “You do not not essentially need your staff to be in that place, however if you’re in that place you have to make the most of it and our guys did immediately. I believe it was an excellent expertise.”
The Wildcats (14-4, 5-2 Pac-12) labored offensively towards one of many nation’s finest defenses whereas falling right into a 32-13 gap halfway by the primary half.
Arizona trailed by 13 halfway by the second half earlier than rallying behind full-court stress. Making each UCLA possession a wrestle, the Wildcats used an 12-2 run to tug inside 55-52 and stored up the stress.
Larsson scored on a putback with 52 seconds left and Ballo hit two free throws after Arizona survived three straight UCLA offensive rebounds to safe the hard-fought win.
“It was a very gritty win, a personality win,” Larsson stated. “We’ve issues we are able to do higher — we should not be down like that at dwelling.”
The Bruins (8-11, 3-5) received off to stellar begin of their last desert journey earlier than leaving for the Large Ten subsequent season. The Pac-12’s worst 3-point taking pictures staff, UCLA used the arc to set off a dominating first half, scoring 13 straight factors as half of a bigger run whereas constructing a 19-point lead.
Sebastian Mack scored 16 of his 21 factors within the second half to steer UCLA and Lazar Stefanovic added 17.
“We have been in a position to go and transfer and run offense within the first half,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin stated. “Then the sport grew to become an unofficiated avenue combat, and we needed to unfold it out and drive the ball. We could not throw a go.”
Capturing 29% from 3 on the season, the Bruins opened with 6 of 9 from the arc, together with a 3 for 3 begin by Stefanovic. Sparked by its perimeter taking pictures, UCLA went on 17-2 run to go up 32-13 because the Wildcats struggled offensively for the third straight recreation.
Arizona had a tough time getting attractiveness, missed quite a few photographs across the rim and had a scoring drought of greater than 3 1/2 minutes throughout UCLA’s huge run.
Then Arizona flipped a defensive swap.
The whole lot that had come simple for the Bruins all of a sudden grew to become exhausting. UCLA went greater than 5 1/2 minutes with out hitting a subject aim and Arizona went on an 11-1 run to tug inside 37-28 by halftime.
“It was actually sensible on their half as a result of we have been profitable a clear recreation, so they only went they only went and made it an entire seize fest,” Cronin stated.
LEWIS’ LIFT
Arizona freshman guard KJ Lewis had 11 mixed factors the earlier three video games, together with 16 minutes towards Utah with out taking a shot. He had an even bigger offensive function towards UCLA, ending with 13 factors and 4 rebounds whereas enjoying stellar protection.
“KJ helped us in each side,” Lloyd stated. “I assumed he performed superior and I am actually pleased with him as a result of it hasn’t been coming simple for him the previous few video games.”
THE TAKEAWAY
UCLA: The Bruins have had bother closing out video games and let one other one slip away of their final journey to McKale Middle as a Pac-12 staff.
Arizona: A shaky begin to each halves threatened to place the Wildcats within the crosshairs of an upset. They managed to tug it out behind their protection, which sparked the offense and the boisterous McKale Middle crowd.
UP NEXT
UCLA: Performs at Southern California subsequent Saturday.
Arizona: Performs at Oregon State on Thursday.
