Bradley’s Buzzer-Beater Sends Wildcats Into Big 12 Final
Jaden Bradley’s buzzer-beating jumper gave the wildcats an 82-80 victory over Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament semifinal, booking Arizona a spot in the conference title game against Houston.
Wildcats Advance After Bradley’s Buzzer-Beater
Kansas City — With the score tied in the closing seconds, Jaden Bradley drove, created separation on the wing and released a jumper that fell as time expired, producing a heart-stopping 82-80 win. The basket capped a game in which the two teams traded leads and late momentum, and it sent Arizona forward to the Big 12 championship matchup on Saturday night.
Key Performers and Turning Points
The Wildcats relied on depth to overcome off nights from some starters. Anthony Dell’Orso matched a career best with six 3-pointers and finished with 26 points off the bench. Bradley finished with 15 points; Ivan Kharchenkov scored 17; and Tobe Awaka recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds. Bradley’s teammates swarmed him after the final shot as the clock expired and the wildcats celebrated the dramatic finish.
Iowa State mounted runs at several points and saw strong scoring from Milan Momcilovic, who made eight 3-pointers and totaled 28 points, matching a career high. Joshua Jefferson added 21 points for the Cyclones. Late in the game, Tamin Lipsey, who had struggled most of the night, hit a 3-pointer from the wing with 15. 2 seconds remaining to pull Iowa State even and set the stage for Bradley’s final play. Killyan Toure defended Bradley on the decisive attempt.
The semifinal featured streaks that swung momentum: Iowa State opened with a 14-5 run, Arizona answered with a 9-0 spurt to lead 37-34, and the Cyclones closed the first half with three quick 3-pointers in the final 1: 23, including a buzzer-beater after an Arizona turnover.
What Comes Next: Big 12 Title Game With Houston
Arizona will meet Houston in the Big 12 title game on Saturday night. Houston reached the final by beating Kansas 69-47 in the other semifinal, setting up a championship rematch from the previous season. The Wildcats will look to channel the confidence from their late-game execution and the scoring depth that carried them through this semifinal as they prepare for the title contest.
After a tense, back-and-forth semifinal, Arizona advances on a play that highlighted one player’s poise under pressure and a roster capable of multiple scoring options. The Big 12 final will decide the conference tournament champion and provide one more high-stakes test before Selection Sunday.
