No. 1 Arizona dispatches upset-minded Washington
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tucson, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Visiting Washington pushed No. 1 Arizona to the brink, but Nick Johnson and the Wildcats survived with a 71-62 win to stay unbeaten on the season.
Johnson scored a game-high 24 points for Arizona (15-0, 2-0 Pac-12), which was coming off one of the most impressive defensive performances in program history. The nation's top team beat Washington State 60-25 on Thursday, shattering the McKale Center record for least points given up in the process.
"Nick is a veteran and very talented player," praised Arizona head coach Sean Miller. "We've seen him put it all together here this year."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Aaron Gordon donated 18 points and 11 rebounds to help Arizona take sole possession of the second best start in program history.
"At halftime I only had one rebound and I was mad about that," said Gordon. "Going into the second half my mindset changed and I just need to have that going into games."
C.J. Wilcox netted 20 points in the setback. Perris Blackwell added 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Huskies (9-6, 1-1) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nigel Williams-Goss' jumper late in the first period snapped a 33-all tie and gave the Huskies momentum heading into the locker room.
Washington's biggest lead of the game came just over three minutes into the second half, when Williams-Goss finished a three-point play for a 42-36 margin.
The Wildcats kept it close and eventually pulled in front for good on a Gordon jam at 9:54.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It was 60-58 in favor of the hosts when Johnson took a handoff at the top of the key, turned the corner and exploded for an above-the-rim finish. Moments later, Johnson drove and missed a pair of layups, but Gordon was there for a tip-in to restore a six-point lead for Arizona.
Johnson and T.J. McConnell combined to sink 6-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Earlier, Shawn Kemp, Jr. came off the bench and provided a spark for the Huskies, scoring all nine of his points in the opening 20 minutes. Washington shot 15-of-27 as a team in the period and led 35-33 at halftime.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
Arizona outscored Washington 42-30 in the paint and 10-0 in transition ... The Wildcats improved to 67-11 under Sean Miller at home ... Arizona has now won the rebounding margin in all 15 games this season ... McConnell had six assists and four steals.