LAS VEGAS - Lauri Markkanen had 16 points and nine rebounds, and No. 8 Arizona held off Santa Clara 69-61 on Thursday night to reach the championship game of the Continental Las Vegas Invitational.
Kobi Simmons added 14 points for the Wildcats (5-0), who will play Butler for the title on Friday.
Arizona’s defense in the second half smothered the Broncos, limiting them to 36 percent shooting (9 of 25) over the final 20 minutes. And yet, Santa Clara sliced its deficit to 59-58 when Jared Brownridge drained a long 3-pointer with 4:10 left — the team’s fourth consecutive 3 during a 12-4 run.