No. 5 Arizona outlasts Washington to extend home streak

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona has been an offensive juggernaut in two seasons below coach Tommy Lloyd whereas reeling off one of many nation’s longest dwelling successful streaks.

On an evening when the offensive went right into a funk, the Wildcats needed to depend on their protection to maintain it going.

Azuolas Tubelis had 18 factors and 10 rebounds, and No. 5 Arizona rallied from shaky begins to each halves to increase its dwelling successful streak to twenty-eight with a 70-67 victory over Washington on Thursday night time.

“We’re successful video games enjoying protection and that’s what it’s important to do,” Lloyd stated.

The Wildcats (14-1, 3-1 Pac-12) entered their first sport of the brand new 12 months rating within the prime 5 nationally in quite a few offensive classes.

They discovered it rather more troublesome towards Washington’s zone, falling into an early 14-point gap whereas taking pictures 36% total.

Arizona rallied behind its protection, triggering a 15-0 run within the first half and one other stretch of 13 straight factors after lacking its first 10 pictures of the second. The Wildcats went up 68-61 with 53 seconds left and held off the Huskies to stretch the nation’s third-longest successful streak.

Arizona’s Omar Ballo had 15 factors after coping with an sickness early within the week. Pelle Larsson had 12 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and performed tremendous on-ball protection.

“We’re used to enjoying bodily video games,” Larsson stated.

They nonetheless had a tough time shaking the Huskies.

Washington (9-7, 1-4) overcame a late 4 1/2-minute scoring drought to tug inside 70-67 with 18 seconds left and obtained the ball again after Tubelis missed a free throw. The Huskies struggled to get a great look within the closing seconds and a 3-pointer by Keion Brooks Jr. fell properly brief.

Brooks and Cole Bajema had 16 factors apiece for Washington.

“We confirmed nice battle, nice resiliency,” Washington coach Mike Hopkins stated. “We held the lead for 28 minutes right here, however you miss a foul shot, you miss and open shot, that’s how these video games are received.”

The Wildcats grinded out a street win over rival Arizona State of their final sport and had every kind of issues with Washington’s 2-3 zone of their return to McKale Middle.

Arizona struggled to search out seams in the midst of the zone and labored to get open pictures on quite a few half-court possessions whereas falling right into a 38-24 gap.

Tubelis was the lone participant to have constant offensive success towards Washington’s protection, scoring thrice in transition earlier than Washington may arrange its protection.

The Lithuanian huge man snapped McKale Middle followers out of their doldrums and his crew with it on a dunk with simply over 5 minutes left. An energized Arizona then reeled off 15 straight factors, taking a 39-38 lead on Kerr Kriisa’s nook 3-pointer.

Washington led 42-41 at halftime after hitting 6 of 13 from 3 and went up seven after holding Arizona to 2 free throws within the opening 8 1/2 minutes of the second half.

“That’s not how I drew it up,” Lloyd stated.

The Wildcats rallied, once more. Arizona went on a 13-0 run to go up 56-50, however allowed Washington to hold round earlier than grinding out one other dwelling win.

“They only have so many weapons,” Hopkins stated. “They’re proficient at each place.

BIG PICTURE

Washington couldn’t have requested for a a lot better begin at each ends of the ground whereas constructing the 14-point lead. The Huskies allowed Arizona again in it with huge runs and went 3 for 14 from 3 within the second half to lose their sixth straight to the Wildcats.

Arizona had its worst offensive sport of the 12 months, but nonetheless discovered a option to win its twenty sixth straight dwelling sport below coach Tommy Lloyd — longest to start out a profession in Pac-12 historical past.

BOSWELL’S LIFE

Arizona freshman Kylan Boswell ought to nonetheless be in highschool, however moved up a 12 months so he may play Arizona.

The 17-year-old level guard has dealt with the leap properly even when his pictures haven’t fallen, enjoying strong protection whereas guiding the offense off the bench.

Boswell gave Arizona a giant elevate towards Washington, scoring 9 factors on 3-of-7 taking pictures from 3 whereas ending with six rebounds and 6 assists.

“That’s why you set the work in, to hit these pictures when the time comes,” stated Boswell, who was 3 for 17 from 3 heading into Thursday’s sport.

UP NEXT

Washington: At Arizona State on Sunday.

Arizona: Hosts Washington State on Saturday.

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Extra AP faculty basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25