BYU’s Four-Game Win Streak Ends With Home Loss To No. 20 Arizona
Feb 4, 2025, 11:58 PM | Updated: Feb 5, 2025, 1:16 am
PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball falls to No. 20 Arizona at the Marriott Center, 85-74.
Final: No. 20 Arizona 85, BYU 74
The loss ends BYU’s four game winning streak. Second loss in Big 12 play at the Marriott Center. pic.twitter.com/kLcQvXktaZ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 5, 2025
The loss ends BYU’s four-game winning streak in Big 12 Conference play.
Caleb Love led Arizona in scoring with 18 points, while Jaden Bradley and Henri Veesaar each scored 17.
All 17 of Bradley’s points were in the second half. Most of which were from the free-throw line. Bradley went 8-of-8 from the charity stripe, with many coming in one-and-one situations.
The Wildcats shot 49.2% from the field, 38.1% from three, and 88.2% at the free throw line in front of an energetic crowd of 17,274 fans at the Marriott Center.
BYU hit only 18.8% from three-point range in the second half.
Egor Demin led BYU in scoring with 16 points.
BYU had a stretch of seven minutes in the second half without a field goal, and the Wildcats were able to capitalize. Arizona closed out the game, outscoring BYU 18-8.
The Wildcats improved to 10-1 in Big 12 play, while BYU fell to 6-5 in league play after the loss.
Pregame
BYU’s student band, “ROC Band,” made its season debut inside the Marriott Center.
I love the pageantry of college sports. It should be a rockin’ environment inside the Marriott Center. #BYU #BYUhoops pic.twitter.com/HGh8lujwrd
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) February 5, 2025
First Half
14:43 – Big 12 referees were making their presence felt early in this game. They called a moving screen on Trevin Knell. During the replay on the big screen, it appeared Arizona’s Jaden Bradley gave an elbow to Knell. Officials reviewed it and took away the common foul, and assessed a flagrant one on Bradley.
Arizona had the early advantage against BYU on the glass, 10-5. Arizona 13, BYU 10.
High-level basketball between BYU and Arizona in the early going. Back and forth.
Arizona has the early advantage on the glass at the first media timeout, 10-5.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 5, 2025
11:26 – Arizona built up a 10-0 run to give them a lead of 18-10. Then Fousseyni Traore ended the run by getting to the foul line and drawing a foul in the post on Henri Veesaar.
Dawson Baker has been trending up since the start of Big 12 play. He's been huge here in the first half helping BYU out of a scoring drought with a couple of made 3's.
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) February 5, 2025
Arizona’s Caleb Love is making everything difficult for BYU star Richie Saunders. Saunders got free before the media timeout for an open three on a loose ball after an offensive rebound. Arizona 22, BYU 18.
7:42 – Both teams hit a lull offensively. BYU missed four consecutive shots, while Arizona hit only one of its last eight attempts. Arizona 24, BYU 23.
Both teams are in a little bit of lull offensively. BYU has missed its last four field goal attempts, and Arizona has only hit 1 of its last 8 shots.
Arizona 24, BYU 23 – 7:42 | 1H
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 5, 2025
3:34 – Mawot Mag came up with a big offensive rebound off a Richie Saunders missed shot to create a second opportunity for Saunders from three. Saunders buried his next look.
On a side note, Richie Saunders suffered a bloody nose that caused him to change out of his game jersey. He swapped into a uniform from last season at the NCAA Tournament as he had an NCAA patch on his uniform. BYU 32, Arizona 29.
1:30 – Mag knocked down a corner three, his third of the night. Who knew the former Rutgers, who shot 24.5% from three last year, would become so efficient from beyond the arc? BYU 37, Arizona 36.
19.7 – Good things happen when Egor Demin gets downhill and attacks the rim. Demin drew an and-one, finishing at the rim. He then missed the free throw attempt, his third consecutive miss. The ball went out of bounds, which officials ruled possession for Arizona. BYU’s Richie Saunders and the Marriott Center crowd was upset it wasn’t BYU ball. BYU 41, Arizona 39.
Halftime – BYU 41, Arizona 41
Henri Veesaar got behind Keba Keita for an alley-oop dunk to tie the game up at the half.
BYU outscored Arizona in second-chance points, 10-5 in the first half.
Arizona’s Caleb Love led all scorers with 11. BYU was led by Mawot Mag with eight.
Second Half
15:26 – An entertaining matchup with both teams finding ways to counter one another.
BYU’s Egor Demin attacked the basket early and often to open the second half. Demin hit three buckets, got downhill, and attacked the rim.
BYU had a 50-47 lead before the Wildcats went on a quick 5-0 run. Veesaar knocked down a three and Caleb Love got to the rim for a layup. Love’s layup was a byproduct of a defensive steal against Demin. Arizona 52, BYU 50.
9:42 – The Arizona fans in attendance made their presence felt with “UofA” chants. BYU fans quickly responded with “B-Y-U” chants of their own.
The Cougars on the court were going back and forth with Arizona. However, Arizona always had an answer.
Down 60-58, BYU’s Kanon Catchings blew the lid off the Marriott Center with a three-pointer in the corner to give BYU the lead. Arizona star Caleb Love quickly responded with a three of his own. Arizona 65, BYU 61
6:58 – BYU guard Dallin Hall hit double-figures, scoring for the first time since January 14 with some drives to the rim and a three-pointer. Arizona 69, BYU 66.
3:59 – BYU went on a drought without a field goal over a 3:49 stretch. The Wildcats went on a 13-2 run and took advantage of their opportunities at the free-throw line. Arizona’s Jaden Bradley knocked down six consecutive free throws. Arizona 80, BYU 68.
Arizona 80, BYU 68 – 3:59 remaining
BYU hasn't hit a field goal in the last 3:49.
Arizona is knocking down their free throw opportunities, 14 of 15 tonight.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 5, 2025
1:20 – BYU fans began filing for the exits as BYU’s offense was completely out of sorts, not hitting a field goal since a Dallin Hall layup at the 7:47 mark in the second half. Arizona 82, BYU 69.
Final: No. 20 Arizona 85, BYU 74
BYU’s field goal drought lasted seven minutes. Arizona pulled away to earn the Quad 1 victory.
Up next for BYU basketball
BYU will face the Cincinnati Bearcats on the road this Saturday. On January 25, the Cougars defeated Cincy in Provo, 80-52.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
