Arizona Wildcats Stunned at Buzzer, Lose 60-58 to Cal Golden Bears

Feb 1, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears fans rush the court to celebrate with players after defeating the Arizona Wildcats at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Arizona Wildcats 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

BERKELEY— If you play with fire long enough, you’re bound to get burned. The Arizona Wildcats had another subpar offensive showing but instead of them hitting the big shot, it wasJustin Cobbsand the Cal Golden Bears that sank the Wildcats 60-58, ending Arizona’s undefeated season.

Arizona (21-1, 8-1) is now on a streak of four consecutive games with less than 70 points scored, after averaging 75.9 points in their first 18 games. To make matters worse, starting Wildcat forwardBrandon Ashleyis due an X-ray when the team arrives in Tucson for what is likely a broken foot.

Kaleb Tarczewskiled the Wildcats with 18 points, six rebounds and a block, going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line.T.J. McConnelladded 13 points and two steals, withRondae Hollis-Jeffersonadding 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks off the bench, as he filled in for the injured Ashley.

Just as the Wildcats can’t afford to shoot 32.3 percent as a team and just 2-for-11 from the 3-point line, they can’t afford to have freshman standoutAaron Gordonturned into a passer. He finished the game with eight points, 13 rebounds and six assists, but it’s the 4-for-14 from the field that really hurts. Over his last three games, Gordon is now 9-for-37 (24.3 percent) from the field.

The Golden Bears (15-7, 6-3) were led by Cobbs, who scored 19 points with seven assists.David Kravishadded 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks, withRichard Solomonscoring 12 points with seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

HE WAS A WILDCAT

Coaches always preach to their bench guys to be ready in case of an injury. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gets as many minutes as anyone off the bench and was ready and he took full advantage of his opportunity. His 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks were all above his season averages.

HE WAS A MILDCAT

Nick Johnsonis going to want to forget about this game quickly. Not only was he beaten on the final play that lost his team the game, he scored four points on 1-for-14 shooting, missing all five of his 3-point attempts. He also turned the ball over five times and committed four fouls.

COMING UP

The Wildcats head back to Tucson, where they’ll host the Oregon Ducks on Thursday, February 4 from the McKale Center.

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