Arizona Holds Off Iowa State to Grab Big 12 Crown

The Arizona Wildcats finished the regular season with a decisive win, beating Iowa State 73‑57 to claim the Big 12 title outright. Jaden Bradley poured in 17 points, while Motiejus Krivas added a solid 13. The victory gave coach Tommy Lloyd his 140th win, the most in NCAA history for a coach’s first five seasons. Iowa State entered the game on the back of a shaky start, having lost their first home match. They struggled against Arizona’s tough defense, shooting only 29 % from the field and 7‑of‑30 from beyond the arc. Even their top scorer, Milan Momcilovic, was limited to just five points on 2‑of‑8 shooting. Tamin Lipsey led the Cyclones with 17 points, but their overall offense faltered. The Wildcats’ defense forced a sluggish first half, with Iowa State shooting 9‑of‑33 overall and 4‑of‑20 from three. Arizona’s paint defense collapsed the Cyclones’ attempts, setting up a 15‑3 run that put Arizona ahead 37‑25 at halftime.

The second half did not improve Iowa State’s fortunes. They missed their first eight shots, allowing Arizona to extend the lead to 16 points. A brief 10‑1 burst gave Iowa State a chance, pulling the margin to 44‑37, but Arizona’s defense held strong. The Wildcats never let their lead shrink below 15 points after that, securing the win comfortably. This game marked a high point for Arizona, especially after a tough loss earlier in the season. Their defensive strategy and efficient scoring kept Iowa State from mounting a comeback, while their disciplined play secured the conference title. Iowa State will face Arizona State next Saturday, while Arizona prepares to travel to Colorado for their upcoming match.

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