PHOENIX— The Arizona Wildcats mounted a valiant comeback effort, erasing a 19-point deficit in the second half, but ultimately ran out of time in a 100-93 loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. Despite a late push, Arizona’s rally fell short, as the Blue Devils secured a spot in the Elite Eight, where they will face Alabama.
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Duke’s Cooper Flagg dominated the game, finishing with 30 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. The 6-foot-9 freshman exhibited all-around brilliance, scoring efficiently and contributing defensively with seven blocks. His performance helped Duke maintain control of the game, even as Arizona chipped away at the lead.
For Arizona, Caleb Love carried the offensive load, pouring in 35 points in an incredible individual effort. Love’s scoring kept the Wildcats in the game, as he converted timely three-pointers and attacked the basket, drawing fouls and hitting 9-of-9 free throws.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) shoots the ball against Arizona Wildcats forward Carter Bryant (9) during the first half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The Blue Devils shot an impressive 60% from the field and 57.9% from three-point range, outshooting Arizona, which finished with 45.5% from the field and 46.2% from beyond the arc. Duke’s offensive efficiency, coupled with a significant rebounding advantage (30-27), played a key role in their victory.
While Arizona managed to win the turnover battle (6 to Duke’s 10), the Wildcats struggled to get enough stops on defense. Duke capitalized on the Wildcats’ lapses, scoring 13 points off turnovers and dominating the paint, outscoring Arizona 42-30 in that area.
Though Arizona couldn’t complete the comeback, the Wildcats proved their resilience in a game that many had written off as a blowout. With the season now over, the Wildcats can look back on a campaign filled with potential and growth, even if their tournament run ended sooner than they hoped.
