8th-ranked Wildcats reach final in Las Vegas tourney

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The 8th-ranked Arizona Wildcats had a fight on their hands for 40 minutes against a hot-shooting team from Santa Clara but held on for a 69-61 win tonight at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas to advance to the final of the Continental Tire Invitational on Friday against Butler.

The two big men for the Wildcats Lauri Markkanen and Dusan Ristic combined for 28 points and 13 rebounds, while getting plenty of help from freshman Kobi Simmons, who pumped in 14 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the field -- including 3 of 3 from three-point land.

Markkanen hit 4 of 11 field goals, 2 of 6 three-pointers, while Ristic canned 6 of 11 field goals. Markkanen hauled in nine rebounds, Ristic four. Arizona out rebounded Santa Clara, 37-26.

Game time for the tourney final is 8:30 p.m.

Arizona improves to 5-0 and will be matched up with the Butler Bulldogs in the final, a team with a matching 5-0 record.

Way to go, Wildcats.