The Arizona Wildcats are headed to the Big 12 championship game after one of the wildest finishes of the tournament.
Arizona beat the Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball squad 82-80 on a ridiculous buzzer-beater in the semifinal, ending a tense, tight affair the only way it could have ended.
Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey drilled a late 3-pointer with a dwindling shot clock winding down to tie the game at 80.
But Jaden Bradley sent them home shortly thereafter with a fadeaway jumper — as he fell to the floor — as the clock expired.
“It was a great game. An epic battle. And I respect Iowa State so much,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd told reporters after the win. “I thought they played really well today. Their shot-making was different than when we played them 10 days ago. They’re a good team and were a good version of themselves and they really made us dig deep.”
Iowa State had a chance to take control late but couldn’t get a clean look on its final possession. Arizona quickly pushed the ball the other way with only seconds left.
The Wildcats stayed within reach thanks to a few timely baskets and some late defensive stops, improving their record to 31-2 and justifying the No. 1 seed they earned with their regular season play.
It was a painful ending for the Cyclones, who had played well enough to win until the end of the contest, though they should still be a team you’ll see in the NCAA Tournament following Selection Sunday.
Milan Momcilovic of Iowa State was the game’s high-scorer at 28 points, draining eight treys in the contest.
Forward Joshua Jefferson added 21 points for Iowa State as the two combined to shoot 19-for-35 from the field.
Anthony Dell’Orso paced the Wildcats with 26 points in the game, hitting 6-of-9 from 3-point range.
Forward Ivan Kharchenkov added 17 points and five assists.
Bradley, who hit the game-winner, finished with 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting, along with seven assists.
