The finals of the Pac-12 Tournament featured four-time winner Arizona facing Pac-12 newcomer Colorado. Both teams needed a win to ensure their bid to the big dance. The first 10 minutes of the game was a low scoring affair, with neither team finding any consistent offense. As the first half wore on Colorado was sparked by freshman guard Spencer Dinwiddie’s range as he went three for three behind the arc in the first half. The Arizona Wildcats were able to pull within 2 points at the half with sound performances from Jesse Perry and Kyle Fogg.
For the better part of the 2nd half it seemed that the Colorado Buffalos were going to run away with the win mounting a 12-point lead. The Buffs couldn’t put the Wildcats away however, getting only one basket, a monster jam by Carlon Brown, in the final 9 minutes. With only 14 seconds remaining, Arizona’s Kyle Fogg terminated his dribble and was forced into a difficult 3-point shot that missed everything.
Colorado defeated Arizona 53-51 in the lowest scoring Pac-12 Tournament championship game ever. Arizona lost the previous year by two points, both being the narrowest margin of victories in championship game history.
The Playmaker of the game belonged not to the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Carlon Brown, but to Andre Roberson who finished the game with a double-double, and lead each squad in rebounds, blocks, steals and tied for the lead in assists.
By Playmaker Contributors: Christian Ceaser & Lewis Geist
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