The Arizona Wildcats lost their first home game of the season Thursday night, dropping a 87-73 battle with USC in a matchup that — for most of the game — was closer than the final score indicates.
The loss snaps Arizona’s three-game Pac-12 winning streak heading into Saturday’s game vs. UCLA.
These numbers tell the story of the Wildcats' 14-point loss:
12:57
USC controlled the game from the 12:57 mark on in the second half when it took a 54-53 advantage. The Trojans' lead ballooned to seven points less than a minute later; the Wildcats spent the rest of the game trying to claw back.
Arizona cut the deficit to 72-68 with 6:39 to play but couldn’t get closer than that. The Trojans shot 21 of 28 from the field in the second half.
31
If not for Azuolas Tubelis, it’s fair to question whether the Cats would have had a fighting chance against the talented Trojans.
The Wildcats' freshman scored a career-high 31 points on 11 of 16 shooting, including two made 3-pointers. He’s the first Arizona freshman to score more than 30 points in a game since Deandre Ayton put up 32 against USC in the 2018 Pac-12 Tournament.
“He’s getting better and more comfortable,” UA coach Sean Miller said. "A big reason why we were in the game is because of his individual effort.”
2-20
Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4), left, and USC forward Evan Mobley (4) get tied up fighting for an inlet pass in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
Arizona’s starting backcourt struggled all night. James Akinjo, Jemarl Baker and Dalen Terry combined to go 2 for 20 from the field and 0 of 7 from the 3-point range. Akinjo’s was 0 of 9 shooting, including five missed 3’s.
Still, “the loss doesn’t fall on their shoulders,” Miller said.
19
Potential NBA lottery pick Evan Mobley didn’t start out the night playing well, but he was a key reason why USC won by 14 points. After starting 1 of 4 shooting in the first half, the 7-foot freshman scored 12 points on 6 of 9 from the floor in the final 20 minutes. Mobley finished with 19 points, the most he’s scored in a Pac-12 game this year and the most he’s had since Dec. 8.
USC also benefited from a season-high 22 points from guard Isaiah White.
10
Prior to Thursday’s loss, Arizona had beaten the Trojans 10 straight times at McKale Center.
Photos: University of Arizona vs USC, Pac 12 men's basketball
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC guard Isaiah White (5) celebrates after getting loose for an uncontested dunk as the Trojans pulled away from Arizona in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona head coach Sean Miller makes a point to guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) during a second half huddle in their game against USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) gets double teamed by USC forward Max Agbonkpolo (23) and forward Evan Mobley (4) on his shot in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC forward Isaiah Mobley (3) drags down Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) as the two fight for a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC forward Chevez Goodwin (1) forces Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) to bounce his shot off the side of the backboard in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) tries to get off the awkward shot between USC guard Drew Peterson (13), left, and forward Max Agbonkpolo (23) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) stretches a leg with his Kyrie S2 "Best Of" shoes during a break in play against USC in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis blocks USC forward Max Agbonkpolo during last year's game. The Wildcats and Trojans could play this weekend as part of a reconfigured Pac-12 schedule.
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New Arizona football coach Jedd Fisch, left, president Robert Robbins and athletic director Dave Heeke watch from among the cutouts in the stands as the Wildcats face USC in the second half of their Pac 12 basketball game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis tries to regain the handle after getting jostled by USC guard Drew Peterson in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center on Jan. 7, 2021.
University of Arizona vs USC
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USC guard Drew Peterson (13) gets a handful of Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) on his shot from just outside the lane in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) gets a pass off around USC guard Drew Peterson (13) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) gathers his thoughts as the Wildcats line up for the opening tip against USC in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona forward Daniel Batcho (1) throws down a dunk during the Wildcats warm ups before taking on USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) aims for a dunk as the Wildcats run through their pre-game drills before tipping off against USC in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) runs into USC forward Isaiah Mobley (3) trying to fight his way into the lane in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) can't quite get to the rebound past USC forward Evan Mobley (4) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) elbows his way along baseline past USC forward Chevez Goodwin (1) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) finds a seam between USC forward Evan Mobley (4), left, and guard Isaiah White (5) to get off a floater in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
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Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4), left, and USC forward Evan Mobley (4) get tied up fighting for an inlet pass in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 7, 2021.
