Arizona Upsets Iowa State 86-75 After Love’s Stunning Buzzer-Beater/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Caleb Love’s halfcourt buzzer-beater forced overtime, and his clutch shooting secured Arizona’s 86-75 upset over No. 3 Iowa State. Love finished with 22 points, including two pivotal 3-pointers in OT. Arizona’s victory marks its first win over a top-5 opponent as an unranked team since 1979.
Arizona vs. Iowa State: Quick Looks
- Buzzer-Beater: Caleb Love tied the game with a halfcourt shot as time expired in regulation.
- Overtime Dominance: Arizona outscored Iowa State 14-3 in OT, fueled by Love’s two 3-pointers.
- Key Players: Love had 22 points, while Tobe Awaka added 17 points and 12 rebounds for Arizona.
- Iowa State Struggles: The Cyclones shot 1-for-6 with three turnovers in overtime.
- Historic Win: Arizona’s first top-5 upset as an unranked team since 1979.
Arizona Upsets Iowa State 86-75 After Love’s Stunning Buzzer-Beater
Deep Look
In a game full of drama, Caleb Love delivered one of the most stunning moments of the season. His halfcourt heave at the buzzer tied the game and sent Arizona fans into a frenzy, paving the way for an 86-75 overtime victory over No. 3 Iowa State on Monday night at McKale Center.
Love, who struggled from beyond the arc earlier in the game (1-for-10), found redemption with the shot of the night. After Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson hit one of two free throws to give the Cyclones a 68-65 lead with 2.2 seconds left, Love took the inbounds pass, dribbled twice, and banked in a shot from behind the midcourt logo, forcing overtime.
In OT, Love remained locked in, sinking two corner 3-pointers to secure Arizona’s memorable victory.
Arizona Shines in Clutch Moments
Arizona (14-6, 8-1) outscored Iowa State 14-3 in overtime, with Tobe Awaka contributing 17 points and 12 rebounds to help the Wildcats notch their biggest win of the season. Carter Bryant also added a critical 3-pointer in overtime, solidifying the Wildcats’ dominance in the extra period.
Iowa State Falters Late
The Cyclones (17-3, 7-2 Big 12) entered the game as favorites and looked poised to escape with a close win after Jefferson’s late free throw. However, Love’s buzzer-beater stunned the Cyclones, and their struggles carried into overtime.
Iowa State shot just 1-for-6 from the field in OT and committed three turnovers, unable to regain the momentum. Tamin Lipsey led the Cyclones with 18 points, while Keshon Gilbert added 17.
Key Game Moments
- First-Half Surge: Iowa State jumped to a seven-point lead early, but Arizona responded with a 16-0 run to take a 34-25 lead.
- Lipsey’s Efforts: Lipsey scored 14 first-half points to keep the Cyclones within striking distance, closing the half at 34-30.
- Overtime Dominance: Arizona capitalized on Iowa State’s mistakes, outscoring the Cyclones and forcing critical turnovers.
Takeaways
- Arizona: Caleb Love thrives in big moments, even on an off shooting night, securing a statement win for the Wildcats.
- Iowa State: The Cyclones’ knack for winning close games faltered after Love’s miraculous shot, highlighting areas for improvement in crunch-time execution.
Key Stat
Iowa State shot 1-for-6 and committed three turnovers in overtime, sealing their fate in the loss.
What’s Next
- Iowa State: Hosts Kansas State on Saturday, looking to bounce back after the tough road loss.
- Arizona: Heads to Arizona State for a rivalry matchup with momentum on their side.
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