Breakdown: Wildcats escape Berkeley with 'W'
Published: February 03, 2012 @ 8:44am
Arizona guard Kyle Fogg (21) shoots against California guard Justin Cobbs (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Arizona won 78-74. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Behind Kyle Fogg's clutch shooting and Jesse Perry's relentless inside play the Wildcats were in another dog fight, tied at 72 with just over a minute to play. After a defensive rebound Fogg put the Wildcats ahead with a clutch three breaking the tie. Instead of a timeout to draw up a play the Golden Bears took the ball out of bounds and ran with it. A pair of Gutierrez free-throws brought the Bears to within one, but a Perry jumper followed by a Fogg block closed out another race to the final buzzer, this time in the Wildcats favor, 78-74.
What went right for Arizona? Down the stretch the young guards of Arizona showed poise and played like veterans against a veteran opponent. Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner set up both scores with assists and played well overall combining for 15 points and 8 assists.
When it was over? The game was over when Fogg nailed that three on a pass from Josiah Turner with 1:25 to go in the game. The Bears kept fighting though making it a game to the finish.
Who stepped up for Arizona? As of late, Fogg has been on fire from three and has really established himself as one of the best players - and shooters, in the Pac-12. His 23 points (5-6 from three)carried the team offensively.
Who needed to step up? Instead of finding a player that should have played better, Nick Johnson found his California shooting stroke and his game. This was needed for Johnson after his well chronicled struggles in California to start conference play.
Stat of the Game: The shooting of Kyle Fogg has become a norm. This was the seventh game this season that he made at least three shots from behind the arc. He is a long way from Jimmer Status, but climbing up the all-time list in Tucson.
What it means: The Pac-12 is still a mess. Arizona is tied for 5th place and just one game out of 2nd. Ironically their next two opponents (Stanford, Colorado) are the next two teams to leapfrog on their way back to the top of the Pac-12.
What's Next: The last game on this road trip is against Stanford on Saturday, a team the Wildcats are currently tied with in the Pac-12. Then the 'Cats are back home to welcome the two new members of the conference, Colorado, on ESPN Thursday night, and Utah Saturday.
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