ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Arizona comeback comes up short in road loss to Alabama

Dec 9, 2018, 1:33 PM | Updated: 1:35 pm

(AP Photo/Marco Garcia)...

(AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

(AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kira Lewis Jr. made a 3-pointer and two free throws over the final 13 seconds and Alabama held on for a 76-73 victory over Arizona on Sunday.

Lewis pulled up for the uncontested shot after the Crimson Tide (6-3), which had lost a big lead for the second straight game, worked most of the shot clock down. Brandon Randolph drained a 3 from the top of the key with seven seconds left to keep the Wildcats (7-3) alive.

After a quick foul, John Petty made the second of two free throws to push the cushion back to three points, at 74-71. Former Alabama point guard Justin Coleman made two free throws with 5 seconds left.

Alabama’s standout freshman, Lewis hit both his foul shots on the other end and an Arizona desperation heave from near midcourt fell well short.

Lewis finished with 20 points and made 4 of 5 3-pointers. Alex Reese scored 15 points off the bench. Donta Hall added 13 points and nine rebounds and Tevin Mack scored 12.

Chase Jeter led Arizona with 19 points and nine rebounds. Rudolph scored 17 and Brandon Williams had 16.

Alabama had seven players score during a 23-2 run in the first half to build a 33-14 lead. The Wildcats trimmed it to 39-30 by halftime on Williams’ 3-pointer and then kept closing the gap to start the second.

BIG PICTURE

Arizona: Had three-game winning streak snapped. Only previous visit to the state of Alabama came in the NCAA Tournament in 1997 when the Wildcats went on to win the national title. Won 10 of its last 11 road nonconference games.

COLEMAN’S RETURN

Coleman spent two seasons at Alabama, starting 16 games, and arrived at Arizona after a season at Samford in Birmingham, Alabama. He heated up in the second half and had eight points, six assists and five rebounds.

UP NEXT

Arizona: Hosts Baylor on Saturday night.

Arizona Basketball

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

10 hours ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

11 hours ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

16 hours ago

(L-R) Caleb Love #2, Keshad Johnson #16, Oumar Ballo #11, and Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildc...

Vincent DeAngelis

Re-ranking Arizona basketball among Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament

Multiple publications rank the Arizona Wildcats around the middle of the pack among the Sweet 16 team still in the NCAA Tournament.

3 days ago

Darian DeVries...

Associated Press

West Virginia basketball hires Darian DeVries to be new coach after 6 years at Drake

West Virginia tapped Drake coach Darian DeVries on Sunday to move the Mountaineers past one of the ugliest years in school history.

3 days ago

Tommy Lloyd...

Arizona Sports

How to watch: Arizona vs. Clemson in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

What time and how to watch the No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats take on No. 6 Clemson Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

3 days ago

Arizona comeback comes up short in road loss to Alabama