Arizona Wildcats Defeat Baylor Bears in Gritty Big 12 Showdown
In a statement road victory, the No. 19 Arizona Wildcats (18-8, 12-3 Big 12) snapped their two-game skid with a 74-67 triumph over Baylor (16-10, 8-7) at Foster Pavilion, completing their first regular-season sweep of the Bears in program history.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd’s squad answered his challenge after Saturday’s loss to Houston with textbook team basketball: “They showed the resilience we’ve been building all season,” Lloyd remarked postgame.
Turning Points
- Tobe Awaka dominated with 14 points and 12 rebounds, exploiting Baylor’s smaller lineup
- Caleb Love’s thunderous dunk over Norchad Omier sparked a 14-2 Arizona run
- Clutch free-throw shooting: 9/12 in final 1:21 to seal victory
By the Numbers
- 🔥 15 assists on 18 first-half FGs (58.1% shooting)
- 🛑 Held Baylor to 5/22 from 3-point range
- 🏀 20 team assists – Arizona’s 2nd-highest in conference play
Emerging Hero
Redshirt sophomore Henri Veesaar shined in his first career start, contributing 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. “I just wanted to bring energy,” Veesaar said. “Coach trusted me, and we executed.”
What’s Next
The Wildcats return home to face BYU on Saturday (Feb. 22), looking to maintain their second-place standing in the Big 12. Baylor travels to Colorado, seeking to break their alternating win-loss pattern.