Cat Tracks: Wildcats ousted in NCAA tournament by Buckeyes

Mar 29, 2013, 2:59 AM

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a basketball game. So, we give you ‘Cat Tracks’, providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from Arizona’s 73-70 loss to Ohio State on March 28.

The Story:

The Buckeyes put the dagger in the Wildcats’ hopes of a comeback when LaQuinton Ross broke a 70-70 tie and hit a clutch three with just two seconds left to give Ohio State a 73-70 lead and the eventual win. The Buckeyes eliminated the Wildcats from the NCAA tournament and will advance to the Elite Eight to play the winner of Wichita State-LaSalle.

The Good:

Senior guard Mark Lyons provided an offensive spark for the Wildcats, especially in the first half, scoring 10 of his team-high 23 points in his final game as a Wildcat. Forward Solomon Hill added 16 points in the last game of his collegiate career.

The ‘Cats looked sharp in the first half and kept Ohio State off balance. The Buckeyes’ standout guard Aaron Craft committed two fouls in limited action. But once he re-entered the game, momentum shifted to Ohio State.

Arizona rallied from 10 points down in the second half but saw their comeback attempt fall short in heartbreaking fashion.

The Bad:

The Buckeyes finished the first half on a 12-4 run and came out hot in the second half, going on a 10-0 run.

Ohio State held Arizona scoreless until the 14:40 mark of the second half.

The ‘Cats went cold from downtown in the second half and finished the game 6-for-18. Arizona shot 33 percent from three-point range and 44 percent overall in the loss.

Noted:

• The Buckeyes went 7-for-13 from three-point range.

• Ohio State notched their 11th straight victory, dating back to mid-February.

• Ross scored 14 of his 17 points, including the game-winner, for the Buckeyes in the second half.

Coming Up Next:

The Wildcats end the season 27-8 after their loss to Ohio State in the Sweet Sixteen.

Arizona band member Thomas Gonzalez shows off his colors before Arizona's West Regional semifinal against Ohio State in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) An unidentified Arizona band member plays before Arizona's West Regional semifinal against Ohio State in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Arizona coach Sean Miller calls to his players during the first half of a West Regional semifinal against Ohio State in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's Lenzelle Smith Jr. works with the ball between Arizona's Mark Lyons, left, and Nick Johnson during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's Lenzelle Smith, Jr., right, and Arizona's Mark Lyons (2) vie for possession of the ball during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's Aaron Craft (4) shoots next to Arizona's Mark Lyons (2) during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Arizona's Solomon Hill (44) goes to the basket over Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas (1) during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona's Grant Jerrett celebrates following a basket against Ohio State during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State coach Thad Matta reacts during the first half of a West Regional semifinal against Arizona in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona's Mark Lyons (2) drives to the basket against Ohio State's Sam Thompson during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA mens' college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona's Mark Lyons tumbles in front of Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross, left, works against Arizona's Mark Lyons as Arizona coach Sean Miller gestures at rear during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Arizona's Mark Lyons (2) drives for the basket against Ohio State's Aaron Craft during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona's Nick Johnson (13) dunks against Ohio State during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Ohio State players react from the bench to a blocked shot during the first half of a West Regional semifinal against Arizona in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. Arizona's Mark Lyons is at left. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's Amir Williams, center, is double-teamed by Arizona's Kaleb Tarczewski, left, and Kevin Parrom during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Arizona's Nick Johnson, right, tries to drive around Ohio State's Lenzelle Smith Jr. during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Ohio State's Aaron Craft (4) takes aim over Arizona defenders Kevin Parrom, left, and Nick Johnson during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's Amir Williams, center, tries to shoot between Arizona defenders Kaleb Tarczewski, left, and Kevin Parrom during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross, center, watches his shot drop in for a basket, between Arizona defenders Jordin Mayes, left, and Kevin Parrom during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas, right, reaches for the ball in front of Arizona's Kaleb Tarczewski during the second half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross, center, watches his basket drop as Arizona's Nick Johnson defends during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona's Mark Lyons, left, breaks clear of Ohio State's Aaron Craft during the second half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. Ohio State won 73-70. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross, left, and Deshaun Thomas celebrate the team's 73-70 win over Arizona in a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona's Mark Lyons walks off the court after Arizona lost to Ohio State, 73-70, in their West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State coach Thad Matta, left, congratulates Deshaun Thomas after the Buckeyes defeated Arizona 73-70 in a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross, left, Sam Thompson, center, and Deshaun Thomas celebrate the team's 73-70 win over Arizona in a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona's Mark Lyons hangs his head after Arizona's 73-70 to Ohio State in their West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas celebrates a field goal against Arizona during the second half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona guard Mark Lyons shoots against Ohio State forward Sam Thompson during the first half of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. Ohio State won 73-70. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Arizona bench watches play against Ohio State in the closing minutes of a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. Ohio State won 73-70. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross (10) watches his 3-pointer go in the basket in the closing moments against Arizona during a West Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. Ohio State won 73-70. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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