This time, overtime wasn’t needed.
The Arizona Wildcats used a dominant second-half performance to beat Washington State 69-53 in McKale Center Thursday night. The UA has now won back-to-back games for the first time since the ASU series in January.
These numbers explain how James Akinjo and the Cats got it done:
41
After a low-scoring first half, the Wildcats took control in the second, scoring 41 points and shooting 54% (12-22) from the field. They outscored the Cougars by 12 points en route to their 10th conference win of the season.
Akinjo scored 15 of his 19 points during the second half outburst, knocking down 4 of 8 shots and hitting a pair of 3-pointers.
4
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Graduate transfer Terrell Brown recorded a career-high four blocks against Wazzu. The Wildcats capitalized on the senior’s defensive efforts and scored on three of their four possessions following the blocked shot.
11
To upset the Wildcats, Washington State needed big nights from their two top scorers, Isaac Bonton and Noah Williams.
Bonton, the third leading scorer in the conference, returned after being sidelined with an ankle injury the previous six games. Williams came into the night having scored 72 points over his last two games.
Neither had much of an impact against Arizona. Bonton scored 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting in 19 minutes, and Williams went cold from the field, shooting 2 for 15 and finishing with 8 points.
14
Arizona's Benn Mathurin ended an 0-for-7 shooting streak spanning his previous two games. The freshman put up 14 points, the most he’s scored since Feb. 11.
Mathurin also broke an 0-for-8 streak from 3-point range by hitting two of the team’s four 3s Thursday night.
20
Akinjo is averaging 20 points per game over his last three games. He’s shot better than 40% from the field in each of those appearances.
Photos: University of Arizona vs Washington State, Pac 12 basketball
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) slams into Washington State forward DJ Rodman (11) on his shot attempt in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona head coach Sean Miller tries to plead his case to one of the game officials after a call in the first half against Washington State at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) gets squeezed into a miss by Washington State center Dishon Jackson (21), left, and Washington State guard Isaac Bonton (10) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Washington State guard Noah Williams (24), left, and Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) go neck-and-neck in the race for a loose ball in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) hammers Washington State guard T.J. Bamba (5) on his dunk attempt in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) gets manhandled from all sides by Washington State forward Aljaz Kunc (4), eft, and center Dishon Jackson (21) on his drive to the basket in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) reels off a tomahawk dunk in front of Washington State forward Aljaz Kunc (4) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) gets a good look at the bucket and takes an uncontested long range jumper against Washington State in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) throws down a big dunk over Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Washington State
Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) gets contact on his drive under the basket against Washington State forward Aljaz Kunc (4) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center Tucson, Ariz., February 25, 2021.
