On Saturday, the 9th-ranked Arizona basketball team achieved a remarkable victory at the Matthew Knight Arena, with Caleb Love delivering a stellar performance and scoring a career-high 36 points. This win, earned with a score of 87-78 over the Oregon team, holds particular significance as it marks Arizona’s first win in Eugene since 2015. Notably, the team has now drawn level with Oregon for the top spot in the conference standings, following three consecutive losses on the road.
Having transferred from North Carolina, Love’s impressive form was evident throughout the game, with the player sinking five 3-pointers and achieving remarkable accuracy by converting 12 of his 18 field goal attempts. In addition to securing the win for Arizona, Love’s 36 points also tied the single-game scoring record at the Matthew Knight Arena. Furthermore, it is worth noting that Love’s performance represents the highest individual score in a Pac-12 road game since 2007, when Ivan Radenovic scored 37 points at Stanford.
For the Oregon team, Jermaine Couisnard led the scoring with 20 points, followed by N’Faly Dante with 19 points and Kario Oquendo with 13 points. Despite their efforts, Oregon suffered their third loss in four games.
This victory is particularly noteworthy given the impeccable record maintained by Arizona’s head coach, Tommy Lloyd, since assuming the role, with the team currently standing at 15-0. This accomplishment underscores Lloyd’s leadership and the team’s collective dedication to success.
Looking forward, Arizona will take on Cal in their upcoming game at the McKale Center on Thursday. Undoubtedly, the team will be buoyed by the momentum from their recent victory and will be eager to continue their winning streak.
The recent triumph has generated excitement among Arizona fans and has solidified the team’s position as a formidable contender in the conference. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Arizona as they demonstrate their skill and tenacity on the court.