Behind Kyler Edwards and Jamal Shead, the Cougars knock off Wildcats to set up another...
With each Arizona run, Jamal Shead and Kyler Edwards answered with 3-point daggers.
The Cougars advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight season and will play No. 2 seed Villanova — a 63-55 winner over 11th-seeded Michigan — in Saturday’s regional final for a spot in the Final Four. Shead did a little of everything Thursday, converting a couple big stage 3s, taking a steal for a layup, altering a couple shots on defense, and helping push UH’s lead to 56-47 with a pair of free throws with 8:21 remaining.Arizona took advantage of the Cougars’ foul trouble — which kept starter Taze Moore on the bench most of the first half — and closed within 34-31 to start the second half. Shead answered with a 3-pointer.
Bennedict Mathurin, a projected NBA lottery pick, went without a field goal until 1:35 left before halftime. The 6-6 guard finished with 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Christian Koloko, the Wildcats’ 7-1 center, added 10 points, most coming from the free-throw line. The duo combined for 58 points in a second-round overtime win over TCU.