Photos: Arizona holds on to drop Montana 70-64 in McKale Center
It wasn't easy but the Wildcats take the Grizzlies down at home with a second half recovery 70-64 before their Pac-12 schedule gets into full swing, December 22. 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) hits the floor with Montana forward Kyle Owens (0) in the scramble for a loose ball in the Grizzly lane during the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Montana forward Derrick Carter-Hollinger (35) crash-lands on Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) on his drive along the baseline in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020. No foul was called on the play.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona head coach Sean Miller tries to get his point across as guard Dalen Terry (4) pressures Montana forward Derrick Carter-Hollinger (35) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) loses the fight for a rebound against Montana forward Michael Steadman (1) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) gets a hand on the ball while marking Montana forward Josh Bannan (13) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) tangles with Montana guard Brandon Whitney (12) while driving the baseline in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) runs into a double team from Montana guard Josh Vazquez (3), left, and forward Michael Steadman (1) at the key in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21), left, and forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) sandwich Montana forward Michael Steadman (1) and forward Kyle Owens (0) while fighting to bring down a rebound in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona head coach Sean Miller slams the ball down after the Wildcats picked up a foul on a Montana three-point attempt in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) jams home a bucket Montana forward Josh Bannan (13) in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona head coach Sean Miller reacts on the sideline after his Wildcats picked up foul against Montana in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) throws down a dunk over Montana forward Kyle Owens (0) in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) and Montana forward Josh Bannan (13) get their fingers to the ball but can't corral a rebound in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) gets fouled by Montana guard Robby Beasley (5) in the dying minutes in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) blocks Montana guard Robby Beasley's (5) lay up attempt in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) loses the battle for a rebound to Montana forward Michael Steadman (1) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) gets off the awkward shot between Montana guard Cameron Parker (11) and Montana forward Kyle Owens (0) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Montana forward Kyle Owens (0) fouls Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) on his drive in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10), left, and guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) force Montana guard Eddy Egun (10) into a turnover in the paint in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Montana
Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) dialing in his long range shooting as the Wildcats go through their pre-game drills to prepare for tip against Montana at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 22, 2020.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
"In basketball, you're going to have tough nights. You can't let that change your approach," James Akinjo said. "I just wanted to come in and do the same thing I always do."
Azuolas Tubelis may have made a permanent move into UA's lineup.
Former Wildcats tweeted their reactions after the UA hired Jedd Fisch to be the football program's next head coach.