In a heart-stopping finish, Jaden Bradley‘s fall-away jumper at the buzzer lifted No. 2 Arizona to an 82-80 victory over No. 7 Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, booking a spot in the final against Houston and amplifying March Madness buzz.
The sequence was pure March magic. After Iowa State‘s Tamin Lipsey drilled a clutch 3-pointer to knot the score at 80-80 with 15.2 seconds remaining, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd eschewed a timeout, trusting his offense to create a play. Bradley, who had been quiet for stretches, took the inbound, drove to his right against Killyan Toure, and released a high-arching fadeaway as the clock expired. Nothing but net.
Bradley finished with 15 points on the night, but it was Anthony Dell’Orso who stole the show for Arizona, matching a career-best with six 3-pointers and scoring a team-high 26 points in the tournament’s top seed’s victory Associated Press.
For Iowa State, Milan Momcilovic erupted for a career-high 28 points, draining eight 3-pointers in a valiant effort for the No. 5 seed Cyclones. Joshua Jefferson added 21 points, and Toure contributed 12, but Lipsey‘s late 3 wasn’t enough to overcome Bradley‘s heroics.
Game of Runs and Record Crowd
The contest was a rollercoaster from the start. Iowa State opened with a 14-5 run, but Arizona responded with a 9-0 spurt to lead 37-34 late in the first half. Momcilovic then heated up, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers in the final 1:23, including a buzzer-beater after an Arizona turnover, to give the Cyclones a halftime lead.
The second half featured incredible shooting exchanges. Dell’Orso and Momcilovic traded 3-pointers on four straight possessions, electrifying a record crowd of 19,450 for a Big 12 Tournament session as documented by the Associated Press.
Historical Context: Revenge and Redemption
This victory sends Arizona to its second consecutive Big 12 title game, where they’ll face Houston—the team that denied them the conference crown a year ago. The Wildcats exacted some regular-season revenge on Feb. 21 in Houston, winning that matchup. Now, with the conference tournament title on the line, the stakes are even higher for both teams, with Houston seeking a repeat and Arizona aiming for its first tournament title under Lloyd [head-to-head history].
NCAA Tournament Implications
Arizona, at 31-2, has already cemented itself as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but this win strengthens their case for a Final Four run. The Wildcats’ resilience in tight games showcases championship pedigree.
Iowa State, despite the loss, remains a strong contender; they are hoping for a No. 2 seed and first- and second-round games in St. Louis, which this defeat might slightly jeopardize but not eliminate given their 27-7 record and quality wins as per AP rankings.
The Big 12 is viewed as the nation’s strongest conference this season, and this game showcased why both teams possess the offensive firepower and defensive grit needed for a deep March Madness run.
Fan Perspective: The Narrative Shifts
For Arizona fans, Bradley‘s shot is a moment of euphoria that could galvanize the team through the pressures of the NCAA Tournament. His clutch performance silences any doubts about his ability in big moments and elevates his status as a potential tournament star.
Iowa State supporters will lament the loss but take heart in Momcilovic‘s shooting display and the team’s resilience. The Cyclones must now regroup for Selection Sunday, where their body of work—including wins over top Big 12 foes—should earn them a high seed and a chance to host early rounds in St. Louis.
The buzz around this game will dominate social media and barroom debates for days. Was Bradley‘s shot the biggest of the season so far? Can Arizona finally break through to a national title? These questions will drive the narrative as March Madness approaches.
Up Next: The Big 12 Championship
Arizona and Houston will clash for the conference title on Saturday night, a rematch with implications for overall seeding and momentum. Arizona seeks its first Big 12 tournament championship under coach Tommy Lloyd, while Houston aims to defend its title and assert conference dominance.
Iowa State now shifts focus to the NCAA Tournament, where they hope to make a deep run and validate their season with a Final Four appearance.
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