TUCSON, Ariz. — Brandon Ashley scored 12 points and T.J. McConnell had a career-high eight steals to spark No. 6 Arizona’s smothering defense, lifting the Wildcats to a 57-34 victory over Oregon State on Friday night.
Arizona (20-2, 8-1) held Oregon, the Pac-12’s top-scoring team, to 56 points on Wednesday and was even better against the methodical Beavers.
The Wildcats limited Oregon State to 28 percent shooting and shut down Beavers leading scorer Gary Payton II to win their 34th straight home game.
McConnell also had seven points and six assists, while Elliott Pitts hit a couple of big shots in the second half for the Wildcats.
Oregon State (14-7, 5-4) handed Arizona its only conference loss earlier this month by attacking Arizona’s defense. The Beavers were the ones on their heels in the rematch, unable to get anything to fall inside or out, finishing 3 for 15 from 3-point range.
Olaf Schaftenaar led Oregon State with eight points. Payton finished with six on 3-of-13 shooting.
The Beavers pulled off the upset of the Pac-12 season so far, knocking off Arizona 58-56 on Jan. 11 for their first win over a top-10 team in 15 years.
Oregon State gave the Wildcats fits with its zone in that game, holding Arizona to 37 percent shooting, including 4 for 17 from 3-point range, and a season low in points.
The Beavers also took advantage of individual matchups at the other end, exploiting weak links in Arizona’s defense.
But that game was in Corvallis. This one was at McKale Center, one of the toughest road venues in college basketball.
The Wildcats also were coming off one of their best games of the season, a 90-56 rout over Oregon, and Oregon State just had one of its worst, a 73-55 loss at Arizona State.
The patient Beavers managed to keep the game at their pace in the first half, working the shot clock down to keep it close.
The Wildcats shifted the tide late in the half behind their defense, holding Oregon State scoreless over the final 7:45.
The Beavers hit 6 of 20 shots in the first half, including 1 for 8 from 3-point range. The Beavers also had 11 turnovers, five of those on steals by McConnell.
Arizona scored the final 11 points of the half to lead 24-13.
The second half was even more defensively dominated.
Arizona missed its first nine shots, while Oregon State opened 1 of 8.
Pitts gave the Wildcats a quick lift, scoring on a three-point play and 3-pointer in transition, and Arizona stretched the lead to 34-21.
The Beavers struggle against Arizona’s pressure, finishing 8 of 29 in the second half to spoil any chance of a comeback.
TIP INS
Oregon State: The Beavers played with suspended forward Victor Robbins for the sixth straight game. … Oregon has not swept Arizona since 1983.
Arizona: The Wildcats played without backup point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright due to a concussion sustained Wednesday against Oregon. … Arizona has won 17 straight home conference games.
UP NEXT
Oregon State: hosts Washington State on Thursday.
Arizona: plays at Arizona State on Feb. 7.
