SAN ANTONIO β The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats had their season upended by No. 5 seed Houston at AT&T Center on Thursday night, losing 72-60 in the Sweet 16.
The Wildcats end their season with a 33-4 record, two wins shy of tying the single-season program record.
These stats tell the story of Arizonaβs season-ending defeat:
0:00: Arizona did not lead for a second of its Sweet 16 matchup against the Cougars, marking the first time this season the Cats finished a game without leading their opponent. Houston jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first six minutes, and UA spent the rest of the night playing catchup.
60: The Cougarsβ defense locked down Arizona, holding it to 60 points β one point shy of the UAβs season low. Arizona had scored at least 80 points in 13 of its previous 15 games.
2 for 15: Azuolas Tubelis struggled in his second straight game, going 0 for 8. He was 2 for 15 combined in his final two games of the season. The sophomoreβs issues began in Thursdayβs opening two minutes, when he got a steal with a chance for a breakaway score but fumbled the ball out of bounds. The All-Pac-12 First Team selection and three more turnovers after that in 22 minutes of play. Both his points came at the free-throw line.
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12: The Wildcats had 12 assists, tied for it second-fewest in a game this season. Arizona finished the year with a school-record 726 assists.
1 for 7: Kerr Kriisa was 1 for 7 from the field Thursday, committing two turnovers. Like Tubelis, he struggled to score over the past two games. Kriisa was 2 for 17 combined against TCU and Houston.
24-6: The Cougars outscored UA 24-6 off turnovers.
17/6/3: Dalen Terry was UAβs best player on the court Thursday night, scoring a career-high 17 points and tying for the team lead in both rebounds (6) and assists (3). Terry scored in double figures in four of his last five games.
Photos: Arizona loses to Houston, 72-60, in NCAA Sweet Sixteen game
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) walks past the celebrating Houston Cougar cheerleaders after time ran out on their season in a 72-60 loss to the Houston Cougars in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) tries to console guard Dalen Terry (4) after the buzzer in their 72-60 loss to the Houston Cougars in the Sweet Sixteen game of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Houston Cougars guard Kyler Edwards (11) celebrates after dragging down a rebound between Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0), left, and center Christian Koloko (35) in the dying second of their 72-60 win in the Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Houston Cougars guard Kyler Edwards (11) gestures after draining a long distance three-pointer to give the Cougars a bit of breathing room over the Arizona Wildcats in the second half of their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) tries to plead his case to on of the game officials during a timeout in the second half against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) gets dragged down by Houston Cougars guard Taze Moore (4) while trying to drive up the middle of the lane in the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd pleads his case to the game officials after his players picked up a foul against the Houston Cougars in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) ties up Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) forcing his to lose his grip on the ball during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35), left and guard Kyler Edwards (11) pin Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) to the sideline and pick up a foul in the process during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25), left, and forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) team up to strip Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) of the ball near mid-court in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) gets his hands all over Arizona Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) white pressuring him near the baseline during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3), left, and Houston Cougars guard Ramon Walker Jr. (3) chase a loose ball in the first half in their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) tries to get off floater in the lane against the Houston Cougars in their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Apr 30, 2023
Houston forward Fabian White Jr. hammers Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin on his drive during the Wildcatsβ 72-60 loss in San Antonio in the Sweet 16.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) slips a basket under Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) in the second half in their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) drags down a rebound amidst a trio of Houston Cougars defenders in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) manages to claw away a shot by Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) loses his grip on the ball going up against Houston Cougars guard Ramon Walker Jr. (3) in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson gets his pint across during a timeout in the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) gets hacked by Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) on a drive in the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) applies full pressure on Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) is just a bit short of keeping an inlet pass out of the hands of Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) in the second half of their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) attempts to reverse in a layup around Houston Cougars center Josh Carlton (25) during the second half of their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) gestures after hitting a three and giving his team a bit of hope against the Houston Cougars in the second half of their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) tries to muscle his way into the paint against Houston Cougars guard Ramon Walker Jr. (3) in second half of their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 25, 2022
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) stands on the court after picking up a foul in the last minute of the second half their loss to the Houston Cougars in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 25, 2022
Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) gets a wide open dunk against the Houston Cougars in the first half in their Sweet Sixteen game in the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Villanova guard Justin Moore (4) crashes into Michigan forward Moussa Diabate (14) chasing a rebound in the paint during the first half of their game in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Villanova guard Bryan Antoine (1) gets all Michigan forward Caleb Houstan (22) in pursuit of a rebound during the first half of their game in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Villanova head coach Jay Wright adjusts his defense during a Michigan possession in the first half of their game in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard gestures to the big screens above while contesting a call against his Wolverines in the first half against Villanova during the first half of their game in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Villanova forward Jermaine Samuels (23) floats a shot over Michigan forward Brandon Johns Jr. (23) in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) reverses along the baseline past Michigan guard Eli Brooks (55) in the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) fouls Villanova forward Eric Dixon (43) on his first half shot in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Villanova forward Jermaine Samules (23) leaps in to keep Michigan forward Moussa Diabate (14) from scoring an easy bucket during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona NCAA Tournament, 2022
Updated
Mar 24, 2022
Michigan forward Terrance Williams II (5) gets ahold of Villanova forward Jermaine Samuels (23) as he tries to dunk during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex., March 24, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Contact sports producer Alec White at 573-4161 or awhite1@tucson.com .
On Twitter: @alecwhite_UA