The Arizona Wildcats stunned the Cincinnati Bearcats with a 72-67 victory on Saturday, marking their first Quad 1 win of the season. This triumph also marked Arizona's first win over ranked opponents this year and pushed their record to 8-5, keeping them unbeaten at 2-0 in the Big 12 Conference.
Arizona entered the contest with high hopes after securing their first win over a high-major team against TCU just days before. Conversely, Cincinnati, ranked No. 16, was aiming to bounce back after a close defeat to Kansas State, hoping to maintain their perfect home record this season.
The Wildcats came out strong, jumping to a quick lead, which they extended to 19 points as they dominated the early stages of the second half. They established control with aggressive play, led by Jaden Bradley who finished as the game's leading scorer with 15 points, making key plays late to secure the win.
The Wildcats initially stormed to a 39-26 halftime lead, shooting efficiently from beyond the arc and finding success attacking the rim. Bradley spearheaded the offense, alongside freshman Carter Bryant, who found his rhythm and contributed 14 points without missing a shot.
After taking their largest lead at 52-33 early in the second half, the momentum shifted drastically. Cincinnati rallied back, mounting what appeared to be a frantic comeback. They unleashed a storm, going on two significant runs to tie the game at 64-64 with just under one minute left.
Key to Cincinnati's resurgence was their defense, which started forcing turnovers and capitalizing on Arizona's mistakes. Cincinnati scored 21 points off turnovers, rapidly closing the gap as their home crowd began buzzing with excitement.
After Skillings tied the game with his putback, Bradley was pivotal, driving to the basket for the go-ahead layup at 66-64, which shifted the tide back to Arizona as they took the lead for good. He followed this with two free throws to extend the margin to 68-64, showcasing composure under pressure.
Caleb Love, though not at his peak shooting form with only 12 points on 3-of-15 shooting, managed to contribute key plays for Arizona, including timely rebounds and assists. His performance demonstrated why he's considered one of the team's focal points.
The game showcased contrasting styles, with Arizona playing aggressively on offense—despite struggling with shooting percentages—while Cincinnati utilized their defensive prowess to claw back. The Bearcats were able to outrebound the Wildcats 39-34, leaning heavily on physical play under the boards.
Arizona's success came significantly from their bench, outscoring Cincinnati’s reserves 31-16. Each player got valuable minutes, with Henri Veesaar contributing noteworthy numbers including eight points, eight rebounds, and four assists, exemplifying the team effort needed for the win.
Despite the near-collapse, Arizona managed to control the game's tempo late, executing efficiently from the free throw line. They finished the game going 21-for-27 from the charity stripe compared to Cincinnati’s disappointing 52 percent.
Cincinnati's offensive issues, particularly from beyond the arc where they shot just 20 percent, were evident as they struggled to find their shooting rhythm throughout the game. Coach Wes Miller commented on his team’s performance, noting, “I was proud of the effort to fight back, but disappointed with the execution at the end.”
This victory not only adds momentum for Arizona but also sets them up for future challenges. The Wildcats next travel to West Virginia, seeking to extend their winning streak to five games. The Bearcats, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they prepare to face Baylor, attempting to shake off their disappointing start to Big 12 play.
Both teams are working hard to find consistency, with Arizona solidifying its place early on in the Big 12 after experiencing some tumultuous moments earlier this season. Coach Tommy Lloyd recognized this victory as pivotal for his squad, stating simply, “We showed great character to hold on today.”
With their first Quad 1 win now under their belts and four consecutive wins overall, the Wildcats are poised to continue their push forward as they look to solidify their position within the new conference.