Arizona Head Coach Sean Miller Doesn't Like Court Storming [VIDEO]
DENNIS GEORGATOS, Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Allonzo Trier's missed 3-pointer at the buzzer may be the final impression from No. 9 Arizona's 75-72 loss to Colorado.
It's not the only reason why Arizona (22-6, 10-5 Pac-12) had its six-game winning streak ended, though.
Ranked second in the country in rebounding margin going into the game at plus-11.4, the Wildcats merely tied the Buffaloes 38-38 in the battle on the boards.
"We didn't buy into what coach (Sean) Miller was preaching today and frankly, they out-toughed us," the Wildcats 7-foot center, Kaleb Tarczewski, said. "That was the reason they won tonight."
Colorado's Josh Scott also had something to do with it, scoring a season-high 26 points, including 12 in the last 10 minutes. Scott also had two turnovers in the final seconds, but Arizona could not capitalize.
"Sometimes you have to take your hat off to the opponent and say tonight they were the better team and they were," said Miller. "They were ready to play, they were the harder playing, more physical team. We can't let one game ruin all that we have achieved."
George King added 14 points and Josh Fortune had 13 for Colorado (20-9, 9-7 Pac-12), which snapped a six-game losing streak to Arizona while securing its ninth 20-win season and fifth in six years.
Ryan Anderson had 19 points to lead Arizona. Trier added 15 points.
Colorado had the 75-72 edge with 26 seconds left when Scott lost the ball driving in traffic. Arizona turned the ball back over, but then with 9 seconds left, Scott was called for traveling under defensive pressure.
Trier's 3-point try at the buzzer hit the back of the rim and missed.
Colorado's fans stormed the court the moment the shot missed in a chaotic finish that Miller took exception to.
"I have no problem being a great sport and I have no problem recognizing that Colorado deserved to win tonight," Miller said. "They won the game. They were the better team. But what's eventually going to happen in the Pac-12 is this: an Arizona player is going to punch a fan and they are going to punch a fan out of self-defense and when it happens only then will everyone take a deep breath and say we have to do something to protect both teams."
After leading by four at the break, the Buffaloes moved in front 56-45 after Scott converted a three-point play with 14:21 left. Arizona responded with a 9-3 burst to prevent the game from getting out of hand, but Colorado withstood the pressure, leaning on a series of driving layups by Scott to stay in front. His leaning layup with 3:32 remaining put the Buffaloes up by 10.
A basket by Tarczewski and a 3-pointer by Gabe York pulled the Wildcats within 75-70 with 2:10 remaining. Tarczewski then threw down a two-handed dunk off an alley-oop pass from Kadeem Allen.
Arizona missed its first four 3-pointers and trailed 37-33 at the half.
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TIP-INS
Arizona: Tarczewski had seven rebounds and increased his career total to 815, snapping a tie with Sean Elliott for ninth-place on the school's career list. ... With seven made baskets in the game, Anderson surpassed 600 for his career (605).
UP NEXT
Arizona: at Utah on Saturday.
Colorado: hosts Arizona State on Sunday.
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