On a night when Derrick Williams further made a name for himself, so did Arizona. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE
Arizona hung with Duke in the first half because of 25 points from Derrick Williams, and then the rest of the Wildcats got involved and got serious about rebounding.
Arizona turned a six-point halftime deficit into a rout, dominating the defending national champs and No. 1-seeded Blue Devils. Arizona won 93-77, and it was as impressive a display of UA basketball as any in possibly the past decade.
The Wildcats will play UConn on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. in Anaheim. The winner goes to the Final Four in Houston.
“If we win this game on Saturday we’re going to be known as one of the best Arizona teams to play,” Williams said.
Williams finished with 32 points and 13 rebounds. MoMo Jones had 16 points, six assists and no turnovers. Arizona shot 54 percent from the field.
“These guys played at the highest level they possibly could have, and that is what we needed to beat the great program that Duke is,” said coach Sean Miller.
Here are some of the best images from the game … enjoy!
(And check back for more later…)
Duke's Ryan Kelly loses control of the ball as Kevin Parrom defends. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Duke's Kyle Singler gets the worst of this battle of the ball with Derrick Williams. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
Derrick Williams deflects a pass intended for Kyle Singler. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
Rebounding was so huge in the second half. Arizona ended up with a 40-27 edge on the glass. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
Derrick Williams (right) and MoMo Jones react to the crowd during a timeout in the second half. Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE
Duke, dejected. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images