Arizona avoids disaster, beats UC Davis in non-conference finale

The Arizona Wildcats had a big lead early, squandered it away, then narrowly avoided disaster, needing all 40 minutes to outlast UC Davis 70-68 on Saturday to wrap up non-conference play.

After leading by as many as 15, Arizona trailed 68-67 with a minute left when Justin Coleman sank a deep 3 for the game’s final points.

It was the one that decided the game.

This from @APlayersProgram's Justin Coleman gets the @OpusBank #12Best moment. pic.twitter.com/9haZZ1hD7w

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 23, 2018

UC Davis had two chances to tie or take the lead, but both opportunities were fruitless. A potential game-winning 3 from Rogers Printup fell short at the buzzer after a strong contest by Brandon Williams.

Arizona improves to 9-4, and is now off until Jan. 3 when it begins Pac-12 play at home against Colorado.

UC Davis’ T.J. Shorts II had a game-high 25 points, thrice giving the Aggies the lead in the final minutes.

The Wildcats led 41-30 at the half, before UC Davis (3-8) caught fire early in the second half to tie the game at 48 with 14:17 left.

At that point, Coleman and fellow captain Chase Jeter both had four fouls, forcing Sean Miller to dig into his bench.

The teams continued to exchange blows, tied at 62 until Shorts drove for two to give UC Davis its first second-half lead with five minutes left. Shorts probed for another layup to put UC Davis up 66-64 with 3:35 left.

Coleman split a pair of free throws to make it 66-65 with 3:18 left, his first point of the night. Jeter, who finished with 16 points, then sank a pair of foul shots to put UA back ahead 67-66 with 1:54 left.

It was short-lived. Shorts knifed into the lane again, scoring over Jeter on the very next possession, setting the stage for Coleman’s game-winner.

This story will be updated.

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