Richie Saunders hit two free throw with 3.2 seconds left and got 23 points to help Byu upset no. 19 Arizona 96-95 in Tempe, Ariz., On Saturday night.
Saunders dressed the fourth victory in a row for Cougars (19-8, 10-6 Big 12) by capturing the incoming pass near Midcourt.
Egor Demin amounted to 13 points and eight assists with six sales, Kanon Catchings got 14 and Mawot Mag added 11 points with a big 3 at the last minute for BYU, who shot 55.4 percent from the floor. Cougars also distinguished themselves from 3-point intervals and connects to 45.2 percent.
It was Byu’s second straight victory against a ranked opponent – an achievement that Cougars had not achieved 37 years, according to the ESPN broadcast.
Caleb Love received 27 points, including two free throw with 13 seconds left, which temporarily gave Wildcats (18-9, 12-4) the lead.
Love got seven points at the last minute to help erase a four-point BYU lead.
Arizona Faithful did not think that Saunders should have been awarded the two free throw with 3.2 seconds left, but referee called a foul on Trey Townsend who had a good position but supported the Byu guard before he shot.
Tobe Awaka scored 14 points and took 10 returns for Arizona, while KJ Lewis amounted to 13 points, Henri Vatesaar had 12 and Anthony Dell’orso Nettaded 11. Wildcats shot 54.2 percent from the field and 45.5 percent beyond the arch.
The team went back and forth at the last minute.
Love met three free throw after the judges named Trevin Knell for a foul on a 3-point attempt, and reduced byu’s lead to 87-86 by 2:15 to go.
Mag then dropped a 3 from the corner for a lead of 90-86.
Arizona cut it in half from the Foul line, but Keita responded with an offensive rebound and bucket of 1:17 left to do it 92-88.
Love met two more free throw with one minute left.
Saunders made a huge game on the subsequent possession, drove from the corner for a reverse arrangement while he was fouled. He missed the free throw.
Love then emptied a 3-pointer when Wildcats made it a one-point game with 32.6 left.
Hall was fouled and missed the front of a 1-and-1. Love was then fouled and hit two shots to give Arizona a lead of 95-94 with 13 seconds to go.
-Field level media
