Arizona's resilience was on full display as they responded to their first home loss of the season with a dominant 91-75 victory over Washington. The Wildcats, under coach Tommy Lloyd, have established a pattern of bouncing back from defeats, boasting a perfect record in such situations over the past three years.
Caleb Love led the charge for Arizona with 28 points, surpassing the 2,000 career points milestone. The team's ability to quickly shake off the previous loss was evident as they stormed to a 17-point lead in the early stages of the game.
Oumar Ballo's strong presence in the paint, particularly in the second half, contributed significantly to Arizona's success. Ballo finished with an impressive stat line of 14 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
Arizona's victory extended their streak to 17-0 under Lloyd following a loss, highlighting their remarkable consistency in bouncing back. The Wildcats have now gone 99 consecutive games without suffering back-to-back losses, a feat that ranks as the third-longest streak in Pac-12 history.
Washington, coming off a thrilling overtime win against Arizona State, struggled to contain Arizona's intensity and fell behind early. Despite their efforts to mount a comeback, the Huskies could not overcome the Wildcats' early lead, with Koren Johnson leading their scoring efforts with 17 points.
Arizona's sharp shooting and defensive pressure proved too much for Washington to handle, as the Wildcats maintained control throughout the game. Love's stellar performance, particularly in the first half, played a pivotal role in Arizona's victory.
The Wildcats will look to build on this win as they prepare to face rival Arizona State next, while Washington will host UCLA in their upcoming matchup.
Overall, Arizona's ability to bounce back emphatically underscores their resilience and determination, setting a strong foundation for the remainder of the season.
