N※N

Arizona Wildcats Rally Past Stanford for 87-76 Victory

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. dcats-rally-past-stanford-for-87-76-victory.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, January 25th 2026 at 8:33 GMT by Arizona Daily Star
      Locale: UNITED STATES

STANFORD, CA - After a slow and uncharacteristic first half, the Arizona Wildcats demonstrated their resilience and offensive prowess, pulling away from Stanford for an 87-76 victory on Sunday, January 25th, 2026. The win keeps Arizona firmly in the hunt for the Pac-12 title, bringing their record to 16-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play. The Cardinal fall to 9-8 and 3-5 in the Pac-12.

The game initially presented a stark contrast to the high-powered offense fans have come to expect from Coach Tommy Lloyd's Wildcats. A sluggish start plagued Arizona, evidenced by a shooting percentage of just 36.4% in the first half and a concerning 11 turnovers. Stanford capitalized on these early struggles, seizing a 38-34 lead at halftime. Coach Lloyd clearly identified the issues at the break, emphasizing the need for improved ball movement and finding star forward Azuolas Tubelis in advantageous positions.

The second half witnessed a dramatic transformation. Arizona unleashed a renewed offensive intensity, shooting an impressive 59.4% and controlling the rebounding battle. The team's communication and flow noticeably improved, reflecting the adjustments made during halftime. "We did a much better job moving the ball," remarked Pelle Larsson, highlighting the team's collective recognition of the problem and their successful implementation of a solution.

Azuolas Tubelis led the charge for Arizona, delivering a dominant performance with 25 points and 12 rebounds. His impact was particularly pronounced in the second half, where he contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds. Pelle Larsson provided crucial support with 18 points, while Oumar Ballo added 14, further showcasing the team's depth. The Wildcats outscored Stanford 53-38 in the final twenty minutes, demonstrating a clear shift in momentum and a decisive advantage in execution. The improved rebounding, limiting Stanford to just 28 rebounds compared to Arizona's 38, was also a significant factor in the second-half dominance.

While turnovers remained a minor issue (Arizona finished with 14 compared to Stanford's 13), the team's ability to adjust and overcome those early challenges underscores their maturity and adaptability. Arizona's disciplined approach to fouling, committing only 11 personal fouls throughout the game, also proved beneficial, keeping key players in the game and preventing Stanford from gaining easy points at the free-throw line. Defensively, adjustments were made to limit Stanford's scoring opportunities.

Maxime Ripoll led Stanford with 18 points, with Keeler contributing 17. However, the Cardinal were unable to sustain their first-half lead against Arizona's relentless offensive surge. The team's shooting woes continued throughout the game, finishing with only 5 of 19 three-point attempts.

With this victory in hand, Arizona turns its attention to a road game against California on Thursday, January 29th, 2026. The Wildcats will look to continue their strong performance and maintain their position at the top of the Pac-12 standings. This game presents another crucial test as they navigate the remainder of the conference schedule.