Photos: Baylor falls at McKale to Arizona 81-70, Big 12 men's basketball
The Wildcats ran out to a big first half lead and held on through a nervy second in beating ranked Baylor 81-70, January 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Baylor forward Norchad Omier, right, foils the dunk from Arizona’s Henri Veesaar in the second half of their Big 12 game on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) manages to snare the inbounds pass over Baylor guard Jayden Nunn (2) during the second half of their Big 12 game, Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Baylor forward Norchad Omier (15) reacts after getting called for dubious foul during the second half of their Big 12 game against Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) celebrates after drawing the charge in the second half against Baylor in their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (1), center, and guard Anthony Dell’Orso (3) harass Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe (7) on a drive during the second half of their Big 12 game at McKale Center, Jan. 14, 2025.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) tries to get a rebound between /b30/, left, and guard VJ Edgecombe (7) during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) ties up Baylor forward Josh Ojianwuna (17) trying to get to an inlet pass in the paint during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) does what he can to make the shot hard for Baylor guard Jeremy Roach (3) in the first half during their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona center Henri Veesaar, left, and Baylor forward Josh Ojianwuna (17) try to bring down the rebound in a crowded lane during their Big 12 game on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) finishes his break with a slam dunk against Baylor during their Big 12 game Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) slams home a Wildcat bucket in the second half against Baylor at McKale Center, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) stands with his teammates during a time out in the Big 12 game against Baylor, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9), left and forward Henri Veesaar (13) put the pincers on Baylor forward Jason Asemota (5) during the second half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Former Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate gets video of the opening ceremonies for the Wildcats’ game against Baylor at McKale Center, Jan. 14, 2025.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30), left, and Baylor guard Robert Wright III (1) race for a loose ball during the second half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) reacts to being called for foul defending Baylor guard Robert Wright III (1) during the second half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona center Henri Veesaar reacts with the crowd after nailing a 3-pointer from the top of the key in a torrid first half for the Wildcats against Baylor on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew has some words with one of the game officials after an out of bounds call that didn’t go the Bears’ way during the first half of their Big 12 game against Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) takes a hand to the face from Baylor guard Jeremy Roach (3) on his three pointer during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe (7), left, and Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) fight for the ball along the baseline during the first half of their Big 12 game at McKale Center, Jan. 14, 2025.
Arizona center Henri Veesaar gets hooked trying to reel in an inlet pass in the first half against Baylor on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) wins the inbounds pass over Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe (7) during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd and the bench react to a traveling call against Baylor during the first half of their Big 12 game in Tucson, Jan. 14, 2025.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (1) pokes the ball out of the hands of Baylor guard Robert Wright III (1) during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) batters his way into the paint through Baylor guard Jayden Nunn (2) during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 14, 2025.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) powers his way through Baylor guard Jeremy Roach (3) for a steal and Wildcat fast break during the first half, Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Trey Townsend (4) dives for a loose ball against Baylor during the first half of their Big 12 game in Tucson on Jan. 14, 2025.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (1) thinks the ball was deflected by a Baylor player instead of going out on the Wildcats during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (13) gets tangled with Baylor guard Jeremy Roach (3) fighting for possession under the Wildcat basket during the first half of their Big 12 game, Tucson, Ariz., January 14 2025.
Arizona center Henri Veesaar rams home a dunk late in the first half against Baylor during their Big 12 game on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at McKale Center.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
The Arizona Wildcats melted another 18 points off a big lead Tuesday, but this time it was somewhat different.
The Arizona Wildcats are adjusting to a Big schedule that offers more time between games but also less time leading up to two-game sets.