No. 8 Arizona beats Arizona St, gets title rematch with UCLA

By MARK ANDERSON The Associated Press

Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) drives the ball against Arizona State forward Alonzo Gaffney during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chase Stevens]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Azuolas Tubelis scored 17 points and No. 8 Arizona beat Arizona State 78-59 on Friday night in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament semifinals. The Wildcats (27-6) get a championship rematch with No. 2 UCLA on Saturday night. Arizona beat the Bruins 84-76 last year for the title. Arizona State (22-12) has to hope its resume is good enough to sway the committee Sunday when it assembles the 68-year NCAA Tournament field. Arizona second-year coach Tommy Lloyd remained perfect in Las Vegas, where he is 8-0, including 7-0 at T-Mobile Arena and 5-0 in the Pac-12 Tournament. Oumar Ballo added 14 points, 10 rebounds for the Wildcats. Cedric Henderson Jr. also scored 14 points. Frankie Collins and Jamiya Neal each scored 11 points for Arizona State.

Arizona State guard DJ Horne (0) looks to pass the ball as Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, obscured, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chase Stevens

Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) brings the ball up court against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chase Stevens

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd talks to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chase Stevens