Arizona dominated by lowly Washington State as losing streak extends to 5

After the Arizona Wildcats claimed the opening tip, senior point guard Justin Coleman pulled up for a deep 3 at the top of the arc.

It barely grazed the rim before trickling out of bounds.

The errant shot set the tone for an ugly night of basketball in McKale Center, and one of the most enigmatic losses in recent UA history.

The Wildcats were blasted by the Washington State Cougars 69-55, getting thoroughly dominated — at home, no less — by one of the worst teams in a downtrodden Pac-12.

How is this for history: It’s the first time Arizona has lost to WSU since Feb, 6 2010. The Cougars’ star player that night? Klay Thompson.

It is also Arizona’s first five-game losing streak since the 1983-84 season, the first year of the Lute Olson era.

The Wildcats (14-10, 5-6) missed their first seven shots and did not score their first points until the 14-minute mark of the first half.

After 40 repulsive minutes of basketball, they emerged with a horrific 31.7 percen/t shooting line. One frustrated fan yelled “Oh my God!” as a Wildcat free throw rimmed out, as Arizona was 11 of 20 from the line.

Arizona trailed by 12 at the half after WSU’s Robert Franks, who torched Arizona for 34 points, sank a 3 at the buzzer. Franks had eight triples.

As the teams piled into their respective locker rooms, UA athletic director Dave Heeke met with a throng of reporters to express his full support of head coach Sean Miller amid Mark Phelps’ suspension and the ongoing federal and NCAA investigations.

But Heeke seemed to acknowledge that the seemingly endless circus around the program has taken its toll on the team’s performance.

“Adversity is everything,” he said.

Fittingly, when the teams returned to the court, the Cougars put the hapless Wildcats away with ease. They maintained a double-digit lead until four straight Arizona free throws — two being the product of a flagrant foul — cut it to 51-42 with nine minutes left.

The home crowd, looking for anything to cheer about, started to come alive, but Washington State quieted it by extending its lead to 13 with 7:24 left.

Dylan Smith buried a 3 to bring the Wildcats back within single digits, but WSU’s CJ Elleby immediately matched it with one of his own, putting an end to the comeback bid.

Smith was one of four Arizona players in double figures, scoring 10, while Coleman had 14, Ryan Luther had 11 and Devonaire Doutrive added 10 along with 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.

This story will be updated.

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