The No. 7 Arizona Wildcats were stunned silent at home today in a loss to arch-rival Arizona State, losing on a buzzer-beater from the half-court.
With 2.9 seconds remaining in the game, Arizona took an 88-86 lead after a free throw. Sophomore Jamiya Neal grabbed the ball off the throw and passed it to freshman Desmond Cambridge Jr., who ran forward and launched the ball from a foot behind the half-court line with 1.1 seconds remaining.
To the shock of everyone at McKale Center, Cambridge’s shot found nothing but net, giving the Sun Devils an 89-88 win as time expired. It was Arizona State’s first win in regulation over a top 10 team since their upset over No. 1 Kansas in 2018.
The game ended Arizona State’s three-year losing streak against their in-state Pac-12 rivals. More importantly, it may have secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament.
DOWN GOES NO. 7 ARIZONA‼️@SunDevilHoops WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/qJus7icYDO
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) February 25, 2023
Regardless of the implications of the win, it was a huge one for the Arizona State basketball program and one that fans are already celebrating as a memory that will last for the rest of their lives:
“Shot + rivalry + date + bubble importance It really doesn’t get better than this,” one user wrote.
“One of the most unbelievable things I’ve ever seen. What a win,” wrote another.
“Don’t ask me why I’m tearing up,” a third said.
And to think that March is only four day away…