After Arizona inexplicably lost to Oregon State on Thursday, it looked like a foregone conclusion that the Ducks would handle the Cats rather easily at Matthew Knight Arena before a packed house and national television audience Saturday afternoon.
Hold that thought.
Arizona came to play, and stayed in control wire to wire in an 87-78 victory that had Oregon’s dominant defense from Thursday looking downright porous.
Falling behind 17-5 to begin the game, the Ducks were never really able to make it over the hump, although a 70-foot buzzer beater before halftime from Jermaine Couisnard helped fuel some hope as they trailed only 45-38 at the break.