For over 30 minutes, BYU held their ground against No. 20 Arizona, battling back-and-forth in a thrilling contest. But when it mattered most, Arizona’s offensive precision and clutch plays proved too much for the Cougars to handle, leading to a decisive 85-74 win. BYU went ice cold in the final stretch, failing to score for a brutal seven minutes, while the Wildcats surged ahead with a flawless free-throw performance and explosive plays.
BYU had briefly taken a 61-60 lead on a Kanon Catchings three-pointer with 11:20 left, firing up their home crowd. However, Arizona responded swiftly, with Caleb Love knocking down a key three-pointer, followed by Dallin Hall’s 9-point surge to keep the game tight at 67-66. But then, the wheels came off for the Cougars. A devastating nine-miss field goal streak allowed Arizona’s Jaren Bradley to explode for 17 points in the second half, while the Wildcats capitalized on 13-of-14 free throws, effectively sealing the game.
Arizona’s power forward duo, Henri Veesaar and Tony Awaka, dominated all night, combining for 31 points and 15 rebounds, while the Wildcats capitalized on BYU’s cold shooting. The Cougars, who shot just 3-of-16 from three-point range in the second half, couldn’t keep pace with the Wildcats’ relentless attack. Despite a strong showing from BYU’s Egor Demin, who finished with 16 points, the lack of defensive stops and missed opportunities at the free-throw line left the Cougars out of sync.
Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd praised his team for executing their game plan perfectly, highlighting their commitment to their habits in a high-pressure atmosphere. Arizona’s shooting and rebounding dominance (44-30) made it clear that BYU couldn’t match up down the stretch.
As the final buzzer sounded, Arizona fans in the stands began chanting “U of A!” while BYU fans struggled to find their voice. With this win, Arizona moves to 16-6 overall and 10-1 in the Big 12, continuing to build momentum for the rest of the season.
BYU (15-7, 6-5) now heads to Cincinnati, looking to bounce back from the tough loss and reclaim their rhythm.
