The Arizona Wildcats are still perfect - and this time, they stayed that way by outlasting their in-state rivals in a gritty, physical battle that tested every ounce of their composure. With an 89-82 win over Arizona State on Wednesday night at McKale Center, the Wildcats moved to 17-0 on the season and 5-0 in Big 12 play, keeping their unbeaten record intact while sending a message about their toughness in high-pressure moments.
This wasn’t just another win. It was a rivalry game that delivered all the intensity you'd expect - technical fouls, back-and-forth runs, and big-time plays down the stretch. And when it mattered most, Arizona leaned on its stars to get the job done.
Koa Peat and Tobe Awaka Lead the Charge
Freshman forward Koa Peat continues to look like a rising star in the college game. He poured in 24 points, with 16 of those coming in the second half when Arizona needed a spark. Peat also added 10 rebounds and three assists, showing off the kind of all-around impact that’s quickly becoming his trademark.
But the breakout performance of the night came from Tobe Awaka. The junior forward had a career night, dropping 25 points and grabbing five boards. He was relentless in the paint and clutch at the free-throw line late in the game - exactly what Arizona needed to fend off a feisty Sun Devils squad that refused to back down.
ASU Brings the Fight
Credit to Arizona State - they didn’t make it easy. Despite coming in at 10-8 overall and just 1-4 in Big 12 play, the Sun Devils played with the kind of edge you expect in a rivalry game.
Senior guard Maurice Odum was especially impressive, finishing with 23 points and seven assists. He kept ASU within striking distance all night, orchestrating the offense and hitting some tough shots under pressure.
First Half: Physical and Even
From the opening tip, this one had a little extra juice. Both teams came out with physicality, and things got heated early when Arizona’s Brayden Burries and ASU’s Allen Mukeba were hit with double technicals after a dust-up. That set the tone for a chippy first half.
Arizona went into the break trailing by one, a rare sight this season. ASU’s defense was disruptive, forcing more turnovers than the Wildcats and knocking down timely threes - including a clutch shot from Bryce Ford with under a minute left in the half. Arizona was taking more shots from deep, but the Sun Devils were making theirs count.
Second Half: Trading Blows Until the Final Buzzer
The second half was a tug-of-war. Arizona tried to pull away, but ASU kept answering. Every time the Wildcats built a lead, the Sun Devils responded - including a huge three with under a minute to play that cut the lead to three.
That’s when Arizona’s veterans stepped up. Senior guard Jaden Bradley calmly knocked down a mid-range jumper with 27 seconds left, and Awaka sealed it with a pair of free throws. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient - and it was enough.
Staying Perfect, Staying Poised
This win was more than just a notch in the win column. It was a statement about Arizona’s ability to grind out tough games, especially in the rugged Big 12. They didn’t dominate wire-to-wire, but they didn’t flinch either.
“I mean, I think it helps us a lot, you know, to get a gritty win like that against a really good team, a really well-coached team,” Peat said after the game. “You know, it’s not going to always be easy, so to have a game like that, I think that’s really going to help us come along.”
He’s right. The Wildcats showed they can win with more than just talent - they can win with toughness, too. And if they keep doing that, the rest of the Big 12 - and the country - better keep watching.