The nation’s best offense fell aside and so did Arizona’s 28-game homecourt successful streak, within the Wildcats’ 74-61 loss to Washington State on Saturday at McKale Middle.
Arizona shot simply 31.7% from the sector and made solely 4 of 25 3-pointers, with guard Kerr Kriisa going 2 of 11 from lengthy vary. The Wildcats additionally struggled on the line, making simply 17 of 28 free throws largely as a result of middle Oumar Ballo was simply 3 of 10.
Ballo, who was hospitalized with an sickness final weekend, additionally struggled from the sector, making simply 4 of 11 photographs.
The Wildcats final misplaced at McKale Middle on Feb. 13, 2021, in a recreation towards Oregon through the COVID-restricted 2020-21 season. The final time UA misplaced at McKale Middle with followers current was on March 7, 2020, when Washington beat UA 69-63 within the regular-season finale earlier than each groups in a season that will be minimize quick 4 days later due to COVID considerations.
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Middle Mouhamed Gueye had 24 factors and 14 rebounds to steer the Cougars, who improved to only 7-10 and 2-4 in Pac-12 play.
Whereas dropping their first recreation at McKale below coach Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats dropped to 14-2 and 3-2 and in addition snapped their general win streak at eight video games. The loss additionally put the Wildcats behind on their efforts to defend their convention championship heading right into a highway swing at Oregon State and Oregon subsequent week. Each UCLA and Utah entered Saturday’s video games at 5-0 in convention play.
Down 47-37 at halftime, Arizona hit solely 4 of 10 photographs to begin the half – and two of these photographs have been a results of WSU goaltending. The Cougars held a 47-35 lead once they fouled Ballo heading right into a timeout with 13:29 left, however Ballo missed each ensuing free throws to grow to be 1 for 8 from the road at that p9iont.
WSU ahead DJ Rodman then hit two 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to provide WSU a 53-35 lead with 12:44 left,, the Cougars’ largest result in that time.
The Wildcats minimize WSU’s result in simply 61-55 after Kerr Kriisa hit a 3-pointer and made two free throws however then their offense sputtered once more when Ballo missed a layup and Kriisa’s 3-pointer was blocked by TJ Bamba.
Gueye then hit a 3-pointer simply earlier than the shot clock expired to provide WSU a 68-56 lead with 1:53 left and followers started leaving McKale Middle.
Within the first half, Washington State took a 37-27 halftime lead whereas hitting seven 3-pointers and holding the Wildcats to only 33.3% % taking pictures.
Arizona hit simply 1 of 8 3-pointers and stayed shut many of the half largely as a result of ahead Azuolas Tubelis had 15 first-half factors. However WSU guard TJ Bamba hit 3-pointer simply earlier than the halftime buzzer to provide the Cougars a 10-point halftime lead.
The Pac-12’s most prolific 3-point taking pictures workforce, the Cougars shot simply 37.8% general however took 15 of their 37 photographs from past the arc and hit seven of their 3s.
The Cougars additionally held UA to only 33.3% taking pictures whereas the Wildcats missed all however considered one of their eight 3-point photographs. UA made up for a few of its offensive troubles by taking 13 journeys to the free throw line however made solely eight free throws.
Middle Oumar Ballo went 1 for six from the free-throw line, lacking two with 5:35 left that, mixed with a 3-pointer from WSU guard Justin Powell, allowed the Cougars to take a 23-21 lead.
WSU went on to steer 29-21 after reserve wing Jabe Mullins hit 3-pointers on two consecutive possessions.
Earlier within the half, WSU took a 16-12 lead over the primary eight minutes, after getting a three-point play from Mouhamed Gueye and a 3-pointer from Powell. Whereas Gueye had 11 factors and 7 rebounds for WSU, Powell had 11 factors and hit 3 of 4 3-pointers.
Halfway by way of the primary half, Gueye scored in visitors, blocked a layup from Ballo and, after Tubelis hit two free throws, scored a hook shot to provide WSU a 20-16 lead.
When Courtney Ramey fired up a missed 3-pointer with 8:38 to go within the half, the Wildcats had made simply considered one of their seven long-range photographs.
Ramey has been in a hunch over the Wildcats’ previous two video games. He averaged simply 4 factors within the Wildcats previous two video games and was a mixed 2 for 11 from 3-point vary in video games towards ASU and Washington.
Contact sports activities reporter Bruce Pascoe at bpascoe@tucson.com. On Twitter: @brucepascoe
