No. 1 Arizona just dominated Arizona State 87-74 on Saturday night, cementing an incredible milestone. The Wildcats set a brand new school record with 22 consecutive wins to start the season. This dominant victory is just the beginning for one of college basketball’s most dominant teams.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Arizona 87, Arizona State 74 in Tempe
- School Record: 22-0 start surpasses previous best of 21-0
- Leading Scorer: Koa Peat led the way with 21 points on powerful shooting
- Conference Record: Arizona improves to 9-0 in Big 12 play
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Koa Peat was absolutely electric, scoring 21 points to lead the Wildcats past their in-state rivals. Brayden Burries, another freshman sensation, added 17 points in the dominant road victory. The two young guns proved they can handle pressure on enemy territory. Motiejus Krivas contributed 15 points with solid defense throughout.
Arizona shot an impressive 60 percent from the field in the second half to pull away late. The Sun Devils never recovered from a powerful 13-2 run early in the contest that gave the visitors control. ASU’s Noah Meeusen scored 16 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop Arizona‘s offensive firepower.
Dominant Second-Half Performance Seals Another Victory
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The Wildcats came out firing after halftime, scoring the first six points to take a commanding lead. Arizona outscored ASU by 13 points in the second half, 49-36, showing why they remain undefeated. The team’s defensive pressure forced turnovers that led to quick points and wide-open layups. Burries found Peat on a perfect full-court pass that resulted in a thundering dunk for a 56-47 lead with 13:10 remaining.
The Sun Devils battled back with several scoring runs, but could never generate enough momentum to threaten. Ivan Kharchenkov and Peat connected on back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead to 71-60, putting the game away for good. Arizona controlled the paint with 50 points and won the fast-break battle 17-16.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Unbeaten vs Struggling
| Key Metric | Arizona | Arizona State |
| Overall Record | 22-0 | 11-11 |
| Conference Record | 9-0 Big 12 | 2-7 Big 12 |
| Second-Half Points | 49 | 36 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 60% (H2) | Poor finishing |
“The Wildcats used a combination of interior scoring, defensive pressure and timely perimeter shooting to dominate the second half and pull away from the Sun Devils.”
— Arizona Athletics, Official Game Report
Historic Start Places Arizona Among Nation’s Elite Teams
Arizona joins only Miami (Ohio) as the last remaining undefeated teams in the nation. The 22-0 start is the best in school history, surpassing the 21-0 record from a previous season. The team also tied the Big 12 record for consecutive wins to start a season, matching Kansas from 1996-97. This Wildcats squad is on pace to make serious noise in the postseason.
Arizona State dropped to 2-10 all-time against top-ranked teams, with their last victory coming in 2018 against Kansas. The Sun Devils have now lost nine of their last 11 games, falling further out of Big 12 contention. Coach Tommy Lloyd‘s squad showed no signs of slowing down despite traveling to enemy territory. The Wildcats host Oklahoma State on February 7 in their next test.
Can Arizona Keep the Perfect Season Alive for March Madness Glory?
The question is no longer if Arizona can win games, but rather how far this historic run can take them. With a 22-game winning streak and perfect Big 12 record, the Wildcats appear destined for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Every opponent will be circling this date on their calendar, desperate to end the historic streak. Arizona’s upcoming schedule features quality opponents like Oklahoma State and other strong Big 12 teams.
The team’s depth proved decisive in Tempe, with multiple players stepping up when needed. Tobe Awaka grabbed 13 rebounds to control the boards, providing the foundation for success. The Wildcats are shooting lights out and defending at an elite level, making them nearly impossible to beat when focused.
Sources
- ESPN – Complete game recap with detailed statistics and play-by-play analysis
- Arizona Wildcats Athletics – Official team statement on school record achievement
- Associated Press – Sports reporting on historic 22-0 start to season
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.