Caleb Love grew up in St. Louis, Missouri dreaming of moments like the one he lived out some 250 miles east – in Kansas City Friday night.
The veteran guard played one of his best games of the season, scoring 27 points to lead the Wildcats to an 86-80 semifinals victory over Texas Tech that advanced Arizona to the Big 12 Tournament championship game. The third seed Wildcats will have a chance to win the conference tournament in their first season in the Big 12 when they take on top seed Houston 3 p.m. MST Saturday on ESPN.
Trey Townsend reached double figures for the third consecutive game, scoring 15 points while KJ Lewis contributed 12 off the bench.
Arizona’s offense went through Love, who made 10 of 15 attempts including 5 of 8 from 3-point point range.
Arizona faced a Texas Tech team missing two of its three leading scorers – Darrion Williams and Chance McMillan – due to injury. JT Toppin, the Red Raiders’ double double machine and the Big 12 Player of the Year, had to sit out stretches of the game due to sickness.
Despite being shorthanded, Texas Tech made Arizona work for the chance to play Houston Saturday.
The Wildcats led the Red Raiders for most of the game, including the entirety of the second half, but Texas Tech remained in striking distance in the final minutes.
Arizona led by 12 points midway through the second half when Texas Tech went on a run to cut the lead to 70-66 with 6:14 to go.
Henri Veesaar scored eight points over a three-and-a-half minute stretch that kept the Wildcats on top entering the game’s final minute.
Texas Tech never made the contest closer than a two-score possession, and Arizona clinched the game with free throws and a late defensive stand.
Veesaar had 10 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes, while Tobe Awaka only played eight minutes, in part due to foul trouble.
The Red Raiders couldn’t successfully convert at the charity on a night when Carter Bryant fouled out and Awaka and Jaden Bradley each picked up four fouls. Texas Tech shot just 19-30 shooting from the free throw line.
Kevin Overton led Texas Tech with 20 points, with Chris Anderson adding 19. Toppin, who scored 21 and 20 points in his first two matchups against Arizona, had just 11 points on 4 of 13 shooting.
Arizona opened the game quick 9-0 run behind seven points from Love. Arizona allowed Texas Tech back in it, and the two teams traded leads for much of the first half. The Wildcats outscored the Red Raiders 16-7 over the final five minutes of the half to take a 47-39 lead into the break.
The Red Raiders started off strong from 3-point range but ultimately cooled down, going 9 of 28 from deep. Arizona held Texas Tech to 42.6 percent shooting, while the Wildcats shot 50.8 percent.
Arizona now will get ready to face a Houston team that won the Big 12 regular season championship. The Cougars advanced to the conference tournament title by handling BYU 74-54. Elijah Sharpe led Houstin with 26 points.
Houston won the only previous meeting this season with Arizona, defeating the Wildcats 62-58 in Tucson on Feb. 15.