Arizona Wildcats Survive BYU Scare, Maintain Perfect Season with 86-83 Victory
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Arizona extended its remarkable season, securing an 86-83 victory over No. 13 BYU on Monday night and tying the best start in school history.The top-ranked Wildcats (21-0, 8-0 Big 12) faced a fierce challenge and a near collapse before ultimately prevailing, fueled by a career night from Brayden Burries and a crucial late-game block.
Wildcats Nearly Squander 19-Point Lead
At one point, a dominant performance seemed within reach for Arizona, threatening to overwhelm BYU on its home court. Though, the Wildcats found themselves on the verge of an epic collapse, nearly surrendering a 19-point lead with under 11 minutes remaining. “It was a game of runs, and they definitely made a push,” a senior analyst commented. Despite the scare,Arizona managed to hold on,showcasing resilience and clutch play when it mattered most.
Burries Seals the Deal with Late heroics
Brayden Burries delivered a career-high 29 points, but it was his defensive play in the final seconds that proved decisive. With the score tied and seconds ticking away, Burries blocked a layup attempt by robert Wright, effectively sealing the victory for Arizona. He then calmly sank two free throws with 2.2 seconds left, pushing Arizona ahead and extinguishing BYU’s hopes. A desperation three-point attempt by the Cougars fell short, confirming the Wildcats’ hard-fought win.
Bradley Shines, Dybantsa Leads BYU in Loss
Jaden Bradley added 26 points for Arizona, continuing his extraordinary form against ranked opponents, averaging 19.7 points per game in such contests. He scored 17 points in the first half, complementing Burries’ 19. BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa led the Cougars with 24 points and drew 10 fouls, but shot a dismal 6-of-24 from the field. Richie Saunders contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, while Kennard Davis added 17. However,Robert Wright,a transfer from Baylor,struggled offensively,finishing with just 7 points on 3-of-16 shooting.
Second-Half Surge and Defensive Intensity
Arizona shot 57.9 percent in the second half and 52.8 percent demonstrating offensive efficiency when it mattered most. BYU managed 40.3 percent shooting, connecting on 13 three-pointers, including 10 after halftime. Despite a slow start to the game in terms of frontcourt scoring – the Wildcats had more fouls (seven) than points (four) from their frontcourt in the first half – they built a 44-31 halftime lead by holding BYU to just two field goals over the final 7:48 of the first half.
The game saw several momentum shifts. BYU briefly threatened in the second half, with Kennard Davis hitting a three-pointer after missing 17 consecutive attempts dating back to January 10th, narrowing the gap. However, Arizona responded with a 9-0 run, sparked by five straight points from Tobe Awaka, extending their lead to 64-45.
Final Moments Filled with Drama
The final minutes were a whirlwind of action. A late three-pointer from Wright cut the deficit to 82-75, and a flagrant foul called on Burries against Dybantsa allowed BYU to close the gap further. Despite a strong defensive effort from Koa Peat on Dybantsa, and a late dunk from Keba Keita, Arizona held on, securing the 86-83 victory.the game featured five lead changes in the opening four minutes,setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle.
The Wildcats will look to continue their historic run on Saturday when they visit Arizona State (11-9, 2-5), with a chance to achieve the best start in school history. Arizona previously defeated the Sun Devils 89-82 at home on January 14th.
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