Caleb Love’s Heroics Propel Arizona to Stunning Overtime Victory Over Iowa State
In a game that will be remembered for its dramatic finish, Caleb Love delivered a performance for the ages, lifting the Arizona Wildcats to an 86-75 overtime victory against the No. 3 ranked Iowa State Cyclones. The scene was set on a Monday night in Tucson, Arizona, where the Wildcats faced a formidable opponent in the Cyclones, who came into the game with an impressive 17-3 record, including a 7-2 mark in the Big 12.
The Cyclones seemed to have the game in hand when Joshua Jefferson made one of two free throws with just 2.2 seconds left on the clock. However, those precious seconds proved to be just enough for Love to create a moment of magic. Despite having a tough night from beyond the arc, going 1-for-10 on 3-pointers up to that point, Love took a couple of dribbles and launched a shot from beyond half court. The ball banked in, sending the McKale Center into a frenzy and tying the game at the buzzer. Love later described the shot as “the best moment of my life.”
As the game moved into overtime, Love continued his heroics by hitting two more 3-pointers from the corner. Carter Bryant added another crucial 3-pointer, helping Arizona secure their first win over a top-5 opponent as an unranked team since they defeated No. 3 UCLA back in 1979. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd praised his team’s resilience, saying, “They were better down the stretch in regulation than we were — you’re just trying to hang in there and give yourself a chance. Desperation 3 was probably not the chance you’re trying to give yourself — but it made for great theatre. … It was a great moment for Arizona basketball.”
Love’s buzzer-beater was not his first clutch moment in his college career. As a sophomore with North Carolina, he hit a go-ahead 3-pointer from roughly 30 feet with 8 seconds left against Syracuse on February 28, 2022. Reflecting on his latest heroics, Love said, “You just got to give it up to God at that point. We practice half-courters in shootaround, you know that’s the fun of it. We do that shot at practice, and like I said you, got to give it up to God and that was all him.” He emphasized his unwavering confidence, stating, “Whether I’m 1-for-10 or 10-for-10 … you got to have confidence in yourself that the next one’s going in.”
Arizona’s Tobe Awaka also played a significant role in the victory, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds. On the other side, Tamin Lipsey led the Cyclones with 18 points, while Keshon Gilbert added 17. Iowa State had a strong start, leading by seven points in the first half, but Arizona responded with a 16-point run, the largest against the Cyclones this year, to take a 34-25 lead. Lipsey’s 14 first-half points helped the Cyclones close the gap to 34-30 at halftime.
Despite their knack for pulling out close wins, the Cyclones faltered after Love’s miraculous shot. It marked their fifth loss to an unranked opponent as a top-5 team and their second such defeat this season, following a loss to West Virginia on January 18. In overtime, Arizona outscored Iowa State 15-4, tying their largest margin of victory in an OT game in program history. The Cyclones struggled, shooting just 1-of-6 and committing three turnovers in the extra period.
- Caleb Love’s game-tying shot was his second career go-ahead or game-tying field goal in the final 10 seconds.
- Arizona’s victory was their first over a top-5 opponent as an unranked team since 1979.
- Iowa State’s loss was their fifth to an unranked opponent as a top-5 team.
As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, Arizona fans will undoubtedly savor this victory, while Iowa State will look to regroup and bounce back from this setback. The Wildcats’ triumph serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where anything can happen, and heroes can emerge in the most unexpected moments.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
