Wildcats edge Utes, 63-57

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

The seventh-ranked Arizona Wildcats held on to beat Utah 63-57 in Salt Lake City tonight to gain a share of the Pac-12 Conference title with two home games remaining on the schedule next week against California and Stanford.

Arizona didn't shoot well tonight. The Wildcats shot just 33 percent from the field, hitting ONLY 17 of 51 shots, including a dismal 3 of 19 from freshman standout Stanley Johnson.

Fortunately for the Wildcats, the Utes shot 30 percent from the field, hitting 17 of 55 shots as the game --as expected -- turned into a defensive struggle for 40 minutes.

In the end, the Wildcats had just enough in the tank to escape town with the victory -- their 26th of the season. Despite a dismal 2 for 12 from three-point land and despite missing 10 of 37 free throws, somehow, someway the Wildcats (26-3 overall, 14-2 in Pac 12 play) got it done as four players finished in double figures with Kaleb  Tarczewski leading the way with 13 points and six rebounds.

Johnson struggled, but did finish with a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Gabe York chipped in 12 points off the bench, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 10 points to go along with eight key rebounds.

Arizona out rebounded the Utes 44 to 35.

Way to go, Wildcats!