Michigan State forward Nick Ward (44) battles Arizona guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) for a rebound as Michigan State guard Joshua Langford, bottom left, looks on in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Armed Forces Classic, Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

Ramon Cartwright estimates he’s already traveled to about 30 of his son’s games over two seasons with the Arizona Wildcats, and he wasn’t about to miss Parker Jackson-Cartwright play in this one.

Even if it meant the expense and time of flying all the way to Hawaii from his Southern California home for just one game.

β€œIt’s a once-in-a-lifetime game,” Cartwright said. β€œI try to go whenever I can, and I think it helps his play.”

Maybe he’s on to something. Ramon made that statement before the game β€” then sat down to watch Parker grab a defensive rebound over MSU center Kenny Goins with 1:08 left, then nail a jumper to give UA a 63-60 lead with 39 seconds left.

Jackson-Cartwright finished with nine points, three assists, three steals and two turnovers in 33 minutes.Β 


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