TUCSON, Ariz. — Caleb Love walked back, his demeanor reflecting disappointment after another missed 3-pointer bounced off the rim. It seemed the night was not going in his favor — until it suddenly turned around.
The player, celebrated for his ability to deliver under pressure, hit one of the most crucial shots of his career—and for Arizona this season—launching a tying shot from beyond half-court as regulation time expired. This moment ignited a remarkable performance in overtime, where Love added two more 3-pointers, leading Arizona to a surprising 86-75 victory against No. 3 Iowa State.
“Best moment of my life,” Love remarked after scoring 22 points. “Things weren’t going our way for most of the game, but you’ve got to believe in your abilities and stay confident.”
Love, a 6-foot-4 senior, has always embodied resilience and determination. He built his reputation at North Carolina, reaching the national title game in 2022, where he scored an impressive 30 points against UCLA in the Sweet 16, and contributed significantly in the Final Four with 22 of his 28 points coming in the second half against Duke.
This past season, he transitioned smoothly into coach Tommy Lloyd’s system, earning recognition as the Pac-12 player of the year through a measured approach to shooting. Despite some inconsistencies this season, he opted to return for his senior year, often leading his team in scoring despite struggling at times with his shot.
Against the Cyclones, Love had a night filled with challenges, missing multiple open looks, including a dismal 1 for 10 from beyond the arc. Yet, one trait about Love is unwavering: he kept shooting.
Arizona found itself on the brink of a tough loss, trailing 70-67 after Iowa State’s Curtis Jones hit two free throws with just 20 seconds left on the clock. After Henri Veesaar made one free throw, Iowa State grabbed the rebound from his intentional miss.
The Wildcats (14-6, 8-1) quickly fouled Joshua Jefferson, who made just 1 out of 2 from the line, leaving 2.2 seconds for Arizona to take a final shot.
It was more than enough time for Love.
With limited options down the court, Anthony Dell’orso passed the ball to Love near the free-throw line. After a couple of dribbles, Love released a shot from close to the midcourt logo. The ball banked in, generating an electrifying response from the crowd at McKale Center.
“We actually practice half-court shots for fun, and he’s decent at it, but I probably have a slight edge,” stated Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd. “It was on target—if you get it on line, it just has to not fall short. When it swished through, it was incredible.”
Following his miraculous shot, Love harnessed that momentum, sinking two corner 3-pointers in overtime to secure Arizona’s first victory over a top-five opponent as an unranked team since defeating No. 3 UCLA in 1979.
“When you hit a shot like that, you’ve got to capitalize in overtime,” noted Love, who finished the night 4 of 13 from long distance.
His teammates were thrilled to see him succeed, recognizing his leadership and ability to accept responsibility. Love’s journey this season has been filled with ups and downs, including stretches of poor shooting, yet he has also dazzled with standout performances, scoring 33 against TCU and 27 at Oklahoma State.
Regardless of whether the shots are finding their mark, Love remains relentless, encouraged by teammates who believe in his ability to make key shots.
“He carries a lot of weight on his shoulders,” said Arizona’s Tobe Awaka, who notched 17 points and 12 rebounds. “To witness him rise to the occasion through those difficult moments is a true blessing.”
Even on an off night, Love proved his worth with the most significant shot of his career.
