TUCSON, Ariz. — In a thrilling college basketball matchup, Henri Veesaar led the Arizona Wildcats to an 81-70 triumph over the No. 25 Baylor Bears, marking their seventh consecutive win on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats improved their record to 11-5, with a perfect 5-0 start in the Big 12 conference. Arizona had previously secured an 88-80 victory against UCF, although head coach Tommy Lloyd expressed dissatisfaction over the team allowing a 17-point lead to dwindle.
The game began with Arizona showcasing a fierce level of intensity that Baylor struggled to cope with, culminating in an impressive 27-point advantage early in the second half, powered by a tenacious defense.
Although Baylor made a strong push in the second half, hitting eight shots consecutively and reducing the deficit to 71-62 with just 2 and a half minutes remaining, they ultimately fell short as their momentum dissipated.
For Baylor, Robert Wright III scored 16 points, while VJ Edgecome contributed 14 points. The Bears demonstrated remarkable shooting accuracy, converting 20 of their 29 attempts in the second half.
On the other side, Arizona’s Jaden Bradley had a commendable performance, recording 13 points alongside six assists and five rebounds. The Wildcats displayed strong offensive efficiency overall, shooting at 54% and sinking 7 of 14 from beyond the arc.
Noteworthy observations from the game include: Baylor’s recent return to the AP Top 25 after an overtime victory against Arizona State, although their lackluster first half against Arizona may see them drop back out of the rankings.
Meanwhile, Arizona appears to have found their stride after an inconsistent start to the season, achieving victories against ranked opponents such as then-No. 16 Cincinnati and then-No. 21 West Virginia as they begin the new year on a positive note.
A significant turning point in the game occurred when Arizona seized control from the jump, establishing a commanding lead with a 15-2 scoring run midway through the first half.
A key statistic from the matchup reveals that Baylor’s first-half total of 19 points represented the fewest Arizona has allowed against a ranked team since a similar performance against Arizona State in 2009, when they limited their rivals to just 18 points.
Looking ahead, Baylor is set to host TCU on Sunday, while Arizona will travel to Texas Tech for their next game on Saturday.