TUCSON, Ariz. — In a thrilling game on Saturday night, Caleb Love led Arizona to an 88-80 victory over UCF, marking the Wildcats’ sixth consecutive win. Love showcased his skills by scoring 16 points, hitting 4 of 7 from beyond the arc, securing eight rebounds, and delivering six assists. Additionally, Anthony Dell’Orso excelled at the free-throw line, going a perfect 9 for 9 and contributing a total of 15 points. The Wildcats also saw solid performances from Henri Veesaar, who added 14 points, Tobe Awaka with 11, and KJ Lewis, who chipped in 10 points for Arizona (10-5, 4-0 Big 12).
The game began with Love scoring the first points with a pair of free throws just a minute in, quickly followed by a 3-pointer to thrust Arizona into an early 5-0 lead, a lead they would not relinquish. The Wildcats went on a scoring spree, recording nine straight points to establish a 14-point advantage, especially highlighted by Awaka’s powerful dunk with 9:38 left in the first half. As the second half commenced, Darius Johnson of UCF managed to level the score at 45 with a 3-pointer just 13 seconds into play. However, Trey Towsend responded by netting the first of two free throws shortly afterward, putting Arizona ahead for good.
As the match progressed, Jaden Ivy-Curry brought UCF closer with a 3-pointer that narrowed the gap to 53-50. Yet, the Wildcats would not falter, as they unleashed a surge of 13 points over the next 17 to hold an eight-point lead for the last 13 minutes of the game. UCF’s Keyshawn Hall was their standout performer, scoring 22 points, while Darius Johnson added 18 points to the tally.
In a noteworthy moment, Rokas Jocius sparked a critical 18-6 run for UCF, evening the score at 42. Nonetheless, Trey Townsend responded with a layup and converted the ensuing free throw, reclaiming a three-point lead for Arizona by halftime. During the first half, Arizona shot 15 of 30 from the field, while UCF struggled with a 37% shooting rate (14 of 38). However, the Knights held an edge on the offensive boards, leading to an 11-3 advantage in second-chance points.
