University of Washington
Arizona
Washington Loses To No. 21 Arizona, 89-64
January 13, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 13, 2001
By JANIE McCAULEY
Associated Press Writer
SEATTLE - Michael Wright made 9 of 16 field goals for a game-high 26 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 21 Arizona defeated struggling Washington 89-64 in a Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball game Saturday night.
It was another strong defensive effort for Arizona (10-5 overall, 3-1 Pac-10), which held Washington to a season-low shooting percentage of 28.6.
The Wildcats' front line of Wright at 6-foot-7, 7-1 Loren Woods and 6-7 Richard Jefferson made it tough for the Huskies every time they tried to maneuver in the key. Woods had a triple double with 13 points, 10 blocked shots and 10 rebounds. Washington (7-9, 1-3) connected on 14 of 44 first-half shots for 31 percent.
It was the third time this season the Wildcats have held an opponent to below 30 percent. They limited Washington State to 29 percent shooting in their 84-51 win Thursday night.
The team has been without head coach Lute Olson since Dec. 30. Olson's wife, Bobbi, died of ovarian cancer Jan. 1 at age 65. Interim coach Jim Rosborough is 3-2 since taking over the team. The Wildcats have won seven of their past 11 games, and two in a row. They play their next four games at home.
Arizona spent much of the second half at the free-throw line and converted 30 of 47 free throws for the game to Washington's 14 of 26.
The Huskies pulled within eight with 17:27 left on Thalo Green's 3-pointer - their first from beyond the arc for the game in eight tries - then Wright answered by scoring three straight baskets for a 48-34 lead. He scored eight of his team's first nine points in the second half.
In the first half, Wright had 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting and made 6 of 7 free throws. Guard Gilbert Arenas, who made all six 3-pointers he tried in Thursday's win at Washington State, had another impressive outing with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He had 11 in the first half.
Four Arizona starters are averaging double figures in scoring, and the fifth averages 9.8 points.
Washington's Will Perkins had his seventh double-double of the season with a career-high 21 points and 13 rebounds. He had 13 points and 10 rebounds in the Huskies' 70-68 overtime victory Thursday against Arizona State that snapped a four-game losing streak. No other Husky scored in double digits Saturday.
Arizona took the lead for good with 15:06 left in the first half on a Lamont Frazier layin. Washington led 8-4 before the Wildcats went on a 19-4 run. The Huskies were 2 for 17 during that stretch.
Arizona was outrebounded 54-49.
