Wildcats Clawed at Beasley: Arizona Narrowly Misses Victory
The Arizona Wildcats, ranked 8th nationally, faced off against the unranked Washington State Cougars in a closely contested battle that ended with a score of 73-70. The Wildcats now stand with their record slightly dented while the Cougars notch an unexpected victory. Despite a strong second-half performance where the Wildcats outscored their first half by 10 points, it wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars' consistent play across both halves.
At Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, fans witnessed an intense matchup where lead changes occurred seven times and the game was tied on six occasions. The Wildcats showcased their defensive skills with seven steals and two blocks but were outmatched by the Cougars who tallied eight blocks. In terms of assists, Arizona managed to distribute 14 assists over Washington State's 12.
Arizona's offense attempted more from beyond the arc with 24 three-point attempts but only converted seven into points at a rate of 29 percent. Inside the paint was where they excelled, scoring 32 points compared to Washington State's similar tally of 34 points in that area. However, shooting efficiency was not on their side as they made just over one-third of their field goals and struggled from the free-throw line making only 62 percent.
Rebounding was a strong suit for Arizona as they grabbed an impressive total of 48 rebounds; offensive boards accounted for nearly half at nineteen which led to twelve second-chance points. However, turnovers were an issue for both teams; although Arizona had one more turnover than Washington State (10 vs. nine), they managed to score thirteen points off turnovers.
Looking ahead after this narrow defeat, fans can mark their calendars for when the Arizona Wildcats host USC Trojans at McKale Center in Tucson on January 17th at 7:00 PM local time (MST). This upcoming game promises another exciting college basketball showdown and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN channel number two hundred six for those who wish to tune in and support their team from afar.