The University of Arizona men’s basketball team (22-11, 14-6 in Big 12) discovered a manner to out live No. 2 Texas Tech University (25-eight, 15-five in Big 12) in a 86-eighty Big 12 semifinal win.
With this victory, Arizona advances to the Phillips sixty six Big 12 Championship recreation wherein the Wildcats will face No. 1 University of Houston.
6-foot-four shield Caleb Love scored 27 factors to steer Arizona, taking pictures 10-for-15 from the field, along with five-of-eight taking pictures from the 3-factor line.
KJ Lewis accompanied with 15 factors, six assists and led defensively with 8 rebounds. 7-foot middle Henri Veesaar scored eight of his 10 factors withinside the 2nd 1/2 of of the sport at the same time as additionally amassing seven rebounds.
“Our men did a superb activity simply locating a manner, and also you realize it wasn’t easy,” stated Arizona head train Tommy Lloyd. “We did a terrific activity protecting them off sufficient and giving ourselves sufficient cushion. If we made one or greater performs it became gonna be hard for them to recover from the top.”
Arizona shot an excellent 50% (8-for-16) together from past the arc and 50.8% (31-for-61) from the field.
The Wildcats’ protection got here out prepared, restricting a Texas Tech team, who shot 15 made 3-suggestions in Thursday’s 76-seventy four quarterfinal victory over Baylor University, to simply 9-for-28 taking pictures from the 3-factor line.
Despite Texas Tech having 4 Red Raiders end scoring in double figures, which include a blended 39 factors from sophomore defend Kevin Overton and 6-foot-2 freshman Christian Anderson, it wasn’t enough.
“Our men did an awesome activity paying attention, and you recognize they likely neglected some they likely desired to have back, however I idea our men did a far higher activity of paying attention and now no longer overhelping in situations,” Lloyd said.
“Some of the fouls are regretful. I desire the ones unfastened throw numbers have been a bit bit lower, however all and all restricting them to 9 3’s after they desired to make 10 plus, you recognize we’ll take it.”
