Arizona Holds Off Houston in Thrilling Rematch
In a game that felt like a preview of the Final Four, Arizona managed to edge past Houston 79-74 in a high-stakes showdown. Brayden Burries was the man of the hour, dropping 21 points, including two clutch free throws with just 8.3 seconds left on the clock. This victory was sweet revenge for Arizona after last year's Big 12 Tournament title game loss to the Cougars.
Koa Peat matched Burries with 21 points, while Jaden Bradley, fresh off his game-winner against Iowa State, added 13 to the Wildcats' tally. Arizona, the top seed with a stellar 32-2 record, is riding high on a nine-game winning streak, six of which were against ranked teams. This momentum is carrying them confidently into the NCAA Tournament.
For Houston, Joseph Tugler put up a valiant effort with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Mercy Miller chipped in 13 points. The Cougars, second-seeded and standing at 28-6, had their moments, especially when they narrowed a 75-66 deficit with just over a minute left, thanks to back-to-back threes from Miller and Milos Uzan.
As the clock wound down, Arizona's Motiejus Krivas, standing tall at 7-foot-2, snagged a crucial rebound and sank two free throws, widening the gap. Despite Houston's attempts, including missed layups by Kingston Flemings and Miller, the Wildcats held firm. Burries sealed the deal with free throws in the final seconds.
The first half saw a tight contest until Burries, who had been in a shooting slump, found his rhythm. He scored the Wildcats' last 10 points of the half, pushing them to a 44-36 lead at the break.
Arizona extended their lead to 15 in the second half, even as the game turned increasingly physical. Bradley took a brief trip to the locker room after a wrist injury, and Peat was slow to rise after a hard hit.
Houston fought back with a 14-point run, closing in on Arizona's lead. Yet, Burries remained composed, executing a three-point play that helped Arizona regain control. Ivan Kharchenko's contributions on three consecutive possessions further solidified their position.
Looking ahead, Houston is likely to secure a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, with initial games in Oklahoma City and the possibility of a regional semifinal on home turf. Arizona, as a projected No. 1 seed, is set for a short journey to San Diego for the opening rounds, with hopes of advancing to San Jose for the following weekend.
This matchup was a showcase of resilience and skill, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting NCAA Tournament run for both teams.