CINCINNATI – The Arizona Wildcats defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 72-67 on Saturday afternoon, overcoming intense competition and maintaining their composure during crunch time at Fifth Third Arena.
The Wildcats, now 8-5 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12, showcased their resilience by holding off Cincinnati's late-game surge. The Bearcats, led by Dan Skillings Jr. with 18 points and Dillon Mitchell with 13 points, fell to 10-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12.
Arizona jumped to a dominant 19-point lead early in the second half. But as the clock wound down, Cincinnati began chipping away at the deficit, with pivotal plays rallying the home crowd. Skillings Jr. tied the game at 64-64 with just 58 seconds left to play, dramatically changing the momentum.
Despite the Bearcats' commendable comeback, Arizona's Jaden Bradley swiftly responded, driving the lane and scoring with 43 seconds remaining. This moment proved to be the turning point for the Wildcats.
Arizona finished strong at the free-throw line, converting 6 out of 7 attempts in the closing stretch, which proved invaluable as they sealed their victory. The Wildcats demonstrated their ability to handle pressure, emphasizing the importance of free-throw shooting when it matters the most.
Throughout the first half, Cincinnati struggled offensively, managing only 32% shooting from the field. Conversely, Arizona took advantage of the Bearcats' challenges, holding onto a 39-26 lead at halftime.
Wes Miller, Cincinnati's head coach, praised Arizona's effort: "Congratulations to Arizona. I thought they came in and played with great energy defensively and made it difficult for us... I was proud of [our comeback] but not pleased with the execution at the end."
Arizona's lineup saw contributions from several players, with Bradley leading the scoring with 15 points, followed closely by Carter Bryant with 14 points and Caleb Love adding 12 points. Notably, Love's shooting performance was below par (3-of-15 from the field), yet Arizona was able to leverage its depth, outpacing Cincinnati 31-15 on bench scoring.
Cincinnati's Dillon Mitchell had been integral to their second-half comeback, scoring key baskets and helping lead the charge. He executed through contact and displayed his athleticism with impressive dunks, but the Bearcats struggled at the charity stripe, making only 12-of-23 free throw attempts for the game.
Bradley’s drive and decision-making were instrumental during the game's final moments, highlighting his maturity and skill under pressure. After the game, Coach Miller reflected on Dan Skillings Jr.'s improvement, stating, "Dan [Skillings Jr.] is getting back to his old self. I have told you guys... taking off time is very difficult, but the more he stays with it, the more effective he'll be."
After leading throughout much of the game, Arizona found themselves at the mercy of Cincinnati’s resilience. Still, their ability to convert free throws down the stretch kept the Bearcats at bay and allowed the Wildcats to secure the win.
The statistics reflect how hard-fought this game was: Arizona was solid with 43.4% shooting from the field and 5-of-14 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Cincinnati managed only 39.1% shooting from the field and struggled significantly from three-point territory, going 5-of-25.
With this victory, Arizona not only marks their first win against a quadrant one opponent this season but also improves their confidence as they look to continue building momentum. The Wildcats' next challenge is set against West Virginia on Tuesday, where they aim to extend their winning streak, having demonstrated they can compete and execute under pressure.
The Bearcats will regroup as they head to Waco, Texas, to take on Baylor on their home turf, determined to learn from this closely contested match.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as both teams navigate their upcoming schedules, eager to see how this thrilling matchup shapes their seasons.