No. 4 Arizona uses strong 2nd half to beat No. 2 Houston, takes 1st place in Big 12

No. 4 Arizona’s 12-0 run proved to be a difference-maker as the Wildcats used a strong second half to beat the No. 2 Houston Cougars 73-66 on the road Saturday to grab first place in the Big 12.

Arizona (25-2, 12-2 Big 12) entered the second half leading 36-31 before Houston (23-4, 11-3 Big 12) took a 50-48 lead with about 12 minutes to play. Arizona then went on a 12-0 run that lasted over six minutes to take an eight-point lead and would not look back.

Arizona’s defense was effective against Houston as the Cougars went over 10 minutes in the second half without a field goal. The Wildcats had nine steals and scored 16 points off 12 turnovers in the win.

Anthony Dell’Orso matched his season-high in points from Arizona’s last game as he scored 22 points off the bench on 8 of 14 shooting with four steals and three rebounds on Saturday.

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd told reporters that the win highlighted the competitive nature of the Big 12. 

“What’s really cool about being in the Big 12 is you could take second or third in the conference and still win the national championship,” Lloyd said. “We put ourselves in position to be in position, and now you got to go take advantage of it.”

Arizona’s win comes as the Wildcats were without freshmen Koa Peat (lower leg muscle strain) and Dwayne Aristode (illness). Moetijus Krivas and Tobe Awaka fouled out after 25 and 17 minutes, respectively. 

The Wildcats now travel to Waco, Texas, to face the Baylor Bears at Foster Pavilion on Tuesday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., and the game will air on ESPN2.

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