Wildcats stay undefeated, winning at home against rival ASU.
The Arizona Wildcats and ASU as we know have one of the best territorial rivalries in the college basketball world. We know whenever these two meet it will be a close game and a physical one at that.
That is exactly what we got at the McKale center as the Sun Devils came into Tucson and attempted to knock the Wildcats off their throne.
Unlike many rivalry games that get out of hand early, the Territorial Cup matchup was competitive from the jump.
As the Sun Devils did a great job going possession for possession with the Wildcats, the question was could they keep it up all game.
At the half Arizona was down 39-38 to ASU. A position the Wildcats were not used to being in.
Everyone was interested to see how Arizona would respond.
The games turning point came in the second half when Arizona freshman Koa Peat just went off.
Peat caught fire in the second half, after only being two of eight in the first half. Peat made all seven attempts and finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, his first double-double of the season.
The Wildcats went on a stretch where they hit 11 consecutive field goals. This allowed Arizona to build a 12-point lead midway through the second half.
Even though the Sun Devils trailed for the majority of the second half of this game, the were able to fight back and make it interesting down the stretch.
With under a minute to play, Arizona State's outside perimeter shooting was coming in clutch. Hitting a big three pointer that brought the Sun Devils withing five points from the Wildcats.
It was too much, too late when playing a team with the star caliber depth of the Arizona Wildcats, hitting all free throws in the end and never letting the Sun Devils get any closer.
Arizona won 89-82 against their rival ASU.
Continuing the undefeated streak at 17-0 overall and 4-0 in Big 12 play.