Bradley’s Buzzer-Beater Sends Arizona to Big 12 Final!

Bradley’s Buzzer-Beater Sends Arizona to Big 12 Final!

KANSAS CITY, MO – The roar of the sold-out crowd at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinals was deafening, but it was the stunned silence followed by an eruption of cheers that defined the night. In a back-and-forth thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats, Arizona’s Jaden Bradley sank a dramatic buzzer-beater to defeat Iowa State [Score not provided in transcript] and punch their ticket to the Big 12 Championship game.

Cyclones Surge, Wildcats Claw Back

The Iowa State Cyclones, a team that has demonstrated remarkable consistency with a 27-6 record on the season and a 12-6 mark in league play, came out firing. Despite finishing in a three-way tie for third place and earning the five-seed due to tiebreakers, they played with the confidence of a top-tier team. Milan Momchilovich was a standout for the Cyclones, pouring in a remarkable 25 points, including seven three-pointers. His offensive rebounding and timely shooting kept Iowa State in control for much of the game, even building a lead as large as 12 points.

“This Iowa State defense, everyone tethered to the ball. They don’t play their man, they play the ball,” one commentator noted, highlighting the Cyclones’ tenacious defensive strategy. Momchilovich was particularly hot, hitting two huge threes in transition and later adding another with 2.8 seconds left on the clock, extending Iowa State’s lead. He continued his hot shooting in the second half, hitting his fifth three of the game and adding to his impressive scoring total.

Joshua Jefferson also had a strong showing for Iowa State, contributing 14 points with impressive footwork. Kaden Koenck and Blake Buchanan also provided crucial buckets, with Buchanan grabbing key rebounds and finishing plays inside. The Cyclones’ ability to find open shooters and execute plays, like a well-executed screen and feed to Buchanan, kept them ahead for extended periods.

Arizona’s Resilience Shines Through

The Arizona Wildcats, the tournament’s top seed and a team that had only lost twice all season, showed the grit and talent that earned them such a high ranking. Despite trailing for much of the game, they consistently found ways to answer Iowa State’s runs. K.J. Lewis was instrumental, hitting crucial threes and driving to the basket. Anthony Delorso, who finished as Arizona’s leading scorer for the night despite being their seventh-leading scorer on the season, also had a significant impact with timely buckets and a crucial euro step.

Toby Awaka provided a spark off the bench, showcasing his tenacity on the boards and finishing plays. His strong play, coupled with contributions from players like K.J. Koenck and K.J. Cass, kept the Wildcats within striking distance. Cass was particularly impressive with a defensive play, blocking a shot with his left hand and showing his impact on both ends of the court.

Bradley’s Heroics Seal the Deal

As the clock wound down, the game intensified. Iowa State maintained a slim lead, but Arizona refused to give up. With the game on the line, Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, took over. After a tough offensive rebound and put-back, Bradley drove to the basket, maneuvering past defenders with speed and precision to score the game-winning basket as time expired.

“He knew he wanted it, Jay. He knew it wouldn’t be easy and he made it,” the announcer exclaimed, capturing the brilliance of Bradley’s clutch performance. “And this is outstanding defense by Killian Tore, but just better offense. And we’ve talked about Jaden Bradley, his performance in clutch time. In clutch time, he averages 36 points per 40 minutes of clutch time. And nothing more clutch than this game-winner to dispatch Iowa State and get to the Big 12 championship game.”

Looking Ahead

The loss is a heartbreaking end to a phenomenal season for the Iowa State Cyclones, who played with incredible heart and determination. They showed they can compete with the nation’s best and will look to carry that momentum into the NCAA Tournament.

For the Arizona Wildcats, this victory is a massive boost. They advance to the Big 12 Championship game, where they will face another tough opponent. Jaden Bradley’s game-winning heroics solidify his status as one of the nation’s premier players and set the stage for Arizona’s potential championship run.

“Boy, one of those it’s a shame somebody had to lose it kind of basketball games. Just a sensational 40 minutes between two great teams who played their hearts out.”

The thrilling semifinal matchup between Iowa State and Arizona was a testament to the competitive spirit of Big 12 basketball, delivering a memorable game that will be talked about for years to come.

Source: Big 12 Tournament: Iowa State Cyclones vs. Arizona Wildcats | Full Game Highlights | ESPN CBB (YouTube)