No. 19 Arizona basketball edged out Baylor on the road for another quality win.
Arizona basketball escaped a three-game losing streak with a close call in Waco, Texas. This matchup was back and fourth from the get-go. Aggressive defense and low shot percentage from both sides led a competitive, fast-paced contest, resulting in Wildcats W.
Baylor’s Langston Love was the first to score, but Arizona’s own heartthrob, Caleb Love responded quick with an athletic lay-up made in traffic.
Anthony Dell’Orso scored next for the Wildcats. K.J. Lewis scored early on and so did Henri Veesaar.
In the first half, Arizona passed around the rock with precision, boasting 15 assists.
These buckets did not come with ease. Baylor was brutal on defense with 8 defensive rebounds, 2 blocks, and 5 steals in the first half alone.
Baylor outplayed Arizona in the second half with 34 points and higher shot accuracy all around the court.
The teams were even in assists (5) and rebounds (17), causing the lead to change 3 times. The Wildcats’ ability to transition to offense after a defensive rebound and get open in the paint set them from the Bears.
Takeaway #1: This game was sloppy
The level of play was disappointing, to say the least. On both sides of the court, there were missed opportunities to dish the ball for an open chance in the paint. Instead, the guards on each team continued to have poor shot selection and couldn’t get lucky.
Baylor’s starting guard, Robert White, was especially broke with 0-6 field goals and going 0-1 behind the arc. Arizona’s Love made 1 of his 7 three-point attempts and Dell’Orso made 1 of 5.
The teams each had their fair share of turnovers: Arizona with 13 and Baylor with 12. Caleb Love led the charge with 4 of his own.
Takeaway #2: Tobe Awaka double-double
The junior forward from Hyde Park, New York stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 250. Considering his size, his performance was exceptionally athletic and well-rounded. Awaka secured 12 rebounds, 8 of these on defense.
He grabbed his own rebound on offense and made the second chance basket. Awaka finished the game with 14 points, going 6-for-9 in field goals and sinking two at the line.
Takeaway #3: Arizona completes the sweep
With their win over Baylor, Arizona completed the season sweep, having previously defeated the Bears 81-70 in Tucson. This victory extended Arizona’s record to 7-5 over Baylor and was an important milestone for the Wildcats, especially after a tough three-game losing streak.
The win not only broke the slump but also propelled Arizona into second place in the Big 12 standings. This sweep boosts Arizona’s position in the conference and strengthens their chances for a higher seed as the postseason approaches.
Next up for Arizona basketball (18-8, 12-3): vs. BYU (18-8, 9-6) – Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. EST
Next up for Baylor basketball (16-10, 8-7): at Colorado (10-16, 1-14) – Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. EST