The Arizona Wildcats snapped a two-game losing streak on Thursday night, beating Oregon State 70-61 in McKale Center.
The victory marks a season sweep of the Beavers and improves UAβs conference record to 8-6 on the year.
These numbers explain how the Wildcats got it done:
7
Oregon State whittled Arizona's 13-point second-half to just four with 5:04 remaining when Jarod Lucas hit a 3-pointer as he was fouled and then nailed the ensuing free throw.
The Wildcats answered by scoring seven straight points to get the lead up to 11 with 2:24 remaining. James Akinjo found an unguarded Christian Koloko for an easy slam to put an exclamation point on the run.
14
Both Akinjo and freshman Bennedict Mathurin scored 14 points. Mathurin was inserted back into the starting lineup after coming off the bench last week against Colorado and made a team-high three 3-pointers. Eight of his 14 points came in the second half.
βIβve been in the gym a lot,β Mathurin said about his efficiency from long range. βI was really confident in taking that shot.β
Akinjo, who shot a combined 6 for 21 from the field in his last two appearances, returned to form against the Beavers. He hit 5 of his 12 shots and two 3s.
17
With Ira Lee sidelined because of an ankle injury, Koloko stepped up. He led theΒ frontcourt rotation in points (nine) and was second in rebounds (eight).
He was also one of the teamβs best free throw shooters, hitting 5 of 6 from the line.
Arizona guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) lofts a free-throw as the Wildcats are sent to the line to hold on against Oregon State late in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
34
The Wildcats got to the free throw line 34 times on Thursday, marking the fifth time this season the team has had 30 or more attempts.
βThat was one of our game plans,β Koloko said. βWe knew if we attacked the rim, we would get fouled.β
16
The Beavers entered the game ranking fourth in the conference in 3-point percentage, hitting at a 36% clip on the season. They didnβt have the usual success from deep against the Wildcats, missing 16 of their 23 attempts.
For comparison, Arizona ranks as the best 3-point shooting team percentagewise in the conference (38%). Thursday, the Wildcats made made 7 of 18 (39%) 3-pointers.
Photos: University of Arizona vs Oregon State, Pac 12 men's basketball
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) manages to keep possession despite a frantic effort from Oregon State guard Zach Reichle (11) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) gets undercut by Oregon State forward Dearon Tucker (35) while trying to get a shot past Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe (10) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) looks to the official to see if he drew the foul on what turned out to be an and-one on his bucket against Oregon State in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) give the rim a big tug on his dunk against Oregon State in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) lofts a free-throw as the Wildcats are sent to the line to hold on against Oregon State late in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) gets a lot of Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe (10) tries for a dunk in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) goes head-to-head with Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe (10) on a drive in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Oregon State guard Zach Reichle (11) scrapes the ball out of the grip of Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) on his baseline drive in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) whacks Oregon State forward Dearon Tucker (35) as the two fight for a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona head coach Sean Miller reacts after his Wildcats gave up a cheap bucket on an inbounds play Oregon State in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Oregon State guard Zach Reichle (11) scrapes the ball out of the grip of Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) on his baseline drive in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) whacks Oregon State forward Dearon Tucker (35) as the two fight for a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona head coach Sean Miller reacts after his Wildcats gave up a cheap bucket on an inbounds play Oregon State in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) muscles off the steal attempt from Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson (5) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona head coach Sean Miller has some advice for Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) during a free-throw attempt in their game against Oregon State, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) looks for some elbow room to get off a shot around Oregon State guard Tariq Silver (55) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) and forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) between Oregon State forward Dearon Tucker (35), left, and forward Maurice Calloo (1) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa's (25) pleas fall on deaf ears after he got called for a foul in the first half against Oregon State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) fights through a maze of arms in the paint against Oregon State in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Jordan Brown (21) gets the block on Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe (10) with the help of teammate Azuolas Tubelis (10) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10), top, crashes to the floor with Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe (10) as the two try to come away with control of the ball in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Terrell Brown Jr. (31) warms up with a long range jumper as the Wildcats prepare to go up against Oregon State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) in an Icecats t-shirt as the team warms up before their game against Oregon State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) muscles off the steal attempt from Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson (5) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona guard James Akinjo (13) slips under Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson (5) on his way to the basket in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Oregon State forward Dearon Tucker (35), left, and Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) tangle for a rebound in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Oregon State forward Dearon Tucker (35) hacks Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) stopping his drive in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) comes away with a rebound from Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe (10)Β in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) on the sidelines in street clothes watching the rest of the big men get their shooting hands dialed in as the Wildcats get ready to go against Oregon State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Arizona center Christian Koloko (35) has his eye on the basket as the Wildcats get loose before their tip against Oregon State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021.
Aari McDonald
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Arizona guard Aari McDonald gets in some late night court time, taking long range jumpers at a nearly empty McKale center shortly after the men's game Oregon State, Tucson, Ariz., February 11, 2021. The Wildcat women take on Washington State tomorrow evening.
