It was a tight affair inside the MGM Grand Arena on the strip in Las Vegas, but the 5th ranked Arizona Wildcats managed to pull out the 70-64 win against UCLA. 

Arizona jumped out to an earlu 8-0 lead with points from T.J McConnell, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Stanley Johnson; with McConnell and Johnson both hitting three pointers. UCLA would claw their way back though, going on an 8-3 run of their own to counteract the Wildcats early offensive spark. This is how it would be all night long, both sides were exchaning offensive flurries and as the half came to an end, Bryce Alford drained a three pointer that tied the game at 27 apiece. 

As the second half was just starting to take shape UCLA opened up a five point lead before the under 16 TV timeout. The Bruins were still hanging in they were getting nice offensive help from everyone of their starters.  Just as they looked like they were maybe pulling away a little bit, Arizona came right back and went on a huge 15-0 run as they were hitting shots from everywhere on the court. Gabe York and Brandon Ashley made a couple of jumpers that extended their school's lead to eight before Tony Parker stopped the bleeding with 6:28 seconds left to go in the game. This gap that opened up would be too big for UCLA as Arizona was able to close out the game with a couple of clutch free throws.

The Bruins needed this victory if they hoped to make it into the NCAA tournament this season, but it looks like bubble might have bursted with this loss. However, turning over the ball two more times and having ten more fouls than your opponent is not going to get the job done. Norman Powell was spectacular in the second half, getting anything he wanted inside and around the rim. He finished with 21 points, leading the team, making eight of 17 shots overall -- including one from beyond the three point line. 

For Arizona, it was the performance from Brandon Ashley that was most impressive. The junior finished with a game high 24 points while making a remarkable nine out of 11 attempts from the field. He also hauled down seven rebounds -- three of them on the offensive glass -- and limited Kevon Looney to just five points. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was great on the defensive side of the ball once again as he stole the ball twice and got two key blocks, while bringing down a game high 12 total rebounds. 

Arizona will now play the Oregon Ducks for the PAC-12 Tournament championship tomorrow night in Las Vegas, Nevada.