Arizona Wildcats' Semifinal Stumble: Oregon Ducks Emerge Victorious in Las Vegas

In a closely contested Pac-12 semifinal, the Arizona Wildcats faced off against the Oregon Ducks at T-Mobile Arena. The Wildcats entered the game with a 6th rank and left with a bitter 59-67 defeat. The Ducks, unranked but undeterred, managed to outscore their opponents in both halves of the game.

From tip-off, it was clear that this would be a battle of defenses as both teams racked up an equal number of blocks at seven each. The Wildcats started strong, leading the first half with 33 points to the Ducks' 23. However, momentum shifted after halftime as Oregon surged ahead with an additional 44 points to Arizona's 26 in the second half.

The Wildcats struggled from beyond the arc, converting only five out of nineteen three-point attempts for a mere twenty-six percent success rate. Their field goal percentage wasn't much better; they shot thirty-eight percent overall compared to forty-two percent by their counterparts from Oregon.

Arizona's players fought hard in paint scoring twenty points but were overshadowed by Oregon's thirty-four. Additionally, fast break opportunities were capitalized more efficiently by Arizona who scored twelve fast break points over seven by Oregon.

Turnovers proved costly for Arizona as they gave up possession fourteen times which led to fifteen points for Oregon off those turnovers. In contrast, despite committing ten turnovers themselves, the Ducks managed an assists turnover ratio of 1.3 compared to just one by Arizona.

On rebounds front too there was disparity; while both teams had similar offensive rebounds at six for Arizona and eight for Oregon respectively; it was on defensive end where difference was stark - twenty defensive rebounds for Wildcats against twenty-six pulled down by Ducks.

The free throw line also told part of story: while Arizona made eighteen out of twenty-eight attempts translating into sixty-four percent accuracy; it paled when juxtaposed with eighty-three percent free throw shooting performance from their opponents who sank ten out of twelve shots offered them.

As clock wound down and final buzzer sounded at T-Mobile Arena fans witnessed three times score tied and lead change hands four times before settling firmly in favor of team from Eugene who showed resilience and execution under pressure securing their spot in championship round.