Analysis: BYU stands up to No. 19 Arizona, and a late call goes Cougars’ way in massive road win

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Arizona guard Caleb Love (1) and BYU forward Mawot Mag (0) talk to each other during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. BYU won 96-95. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) | Rick Scuteri

TUCSON, Arizona — Whether it was a foul, or not, was debated long into the night here in the desert. It was one of those calls that will be cheered by the winners, and thrashed by the losers, from here to eternity.

All the victorious BYU Cougars know is that they completed what was simply a phenomenal week of college basketball, following that 34-point home win over No. 23 Kansas with a thrilling 96-95 conquest of No. 19 Arizona in front of 14,688 maddened fans and a national television audience late Saturday night.

“What ultimately won it,” said BYU coach Kevin Young, “was sheer toughness.”

And two of the biggest free throws of Richie Saunders’ ever-improving BYU career.

And, of course, a call with 3.2 seconds remaining by referee Tony Padilla that will live in infamy in Tucson and be praised to the high heavens, naturally, in Provo.

For many BYU fans, the questionable call in which Trey Townsend bumped a pivoting Saunders, was payback for a series of calls in the final two minutes, 15 seconds that went Arizona’s way.

Credit Saunders for drilling the free throws after having missed a free throw with 41 seconds left that would have given BYU a five-point lead.

Saunders’ take: “Just trying to figure out how to make something happen. Luckily (Townsend) bit a little bit on the shot fake and I was fortunate enough to get to the line.”

Arizona’s inbounds throw was intercepted, and the Cougars (19-8, 10-6) celebrated one of the bigger wins in school history. Perhaps they celebrated a bit too much, because there was a minor skirmish in the handshake line and the line couldn’t be completed.

Young said he wasn’t sure what happened after an Arizona television reporter suggested that a BYU player was out of control and had to be…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/analysis-byu-stands-no-19-075109850.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2025-02-23 07:51:00

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