Bradley’s Buzzer-Beater: Arizona Outlasts Iowa State in Big 12 Semifinal Thriller
Bradley’s Buzzer-Beater: Arizona Outlasts Iowa State in Big 12 Semifinal Thriller
The Big 12 Tournament semifinals provided a moment for the ages on Friday night as Jaden Bradley solidified his reputation as "The Closer." With the score knotted and the clock ticking toward zero, Bradley took the ball the length of the floor, creating just enough separation to loft a high-arching, 18-foot fall-away jumper over the outstretched arms of Iowa State’s Killyan Toure. As the ball swished through the net at the buzzer, the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats secured a dramatic 82-80 victory over the No. 7 ranked Cyclones at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
The victory was a testament to the resilience of No. 2 Arizona (31-2), who survived an offensive barrage from Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic. Momcilovic was nearly unstoppable from the perimeter, matching his career-high with eight 3-pointers and finishing with 28 points. Despite the sophomore's heroics, which included a buzzer-beater to end the first half, Arizona relied on their deep roster and the steady hand of Bradley. While Bradley provided the final fireworks, the Wildcats' engine throughout the night was Anthony Dell’Orso, who matched a career-best with six triples of his own, finishing with a team-high 26 points.
A Battle of Heavyweights
This semifinal matchup felt like a national championship preview. Iowa State (27-7) jumped out to an early 14-5 lead, utilizing their trademark pressure defense to disrupt Arizona’s rhythm. However, the Wildcats responded with a 9-0 run of their own to take a slim lead midway through the first half. The two teams traded blows in a second half that featured elite shot-making; at one point, Dell’Orso and Momcilovic traded 3-pointers on four consecutive possessions, igniting the record crowd of 19,450 fans.
Arizona’s frontcourt depth also proved pivotal. Tobe Awaka dominated the interior with a double-double, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Ivan Kharchenkov chipped in 17 points. The Wildcats shot a blistering 55.2% from the field, overcoming a Cyclones squad that hit 14 three-pointers at a 45.2% clip. Every time Iowa State seemed poised to pull away, Arizona found an answer, often through the playmaking of Bradley, who finished with 15 points and seven assists.
Defining "The Closer"
Jaden Bradley has spent the season proving he is one of the most clutch players in college basketball, but his performance on Friday night reached a new level. After Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey drained a game-tying three-pointer with 15.2 seconds remaining, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd opted not to call a timeout, trusting his veteran guard to make the right play. Bradley calmly navigated the floor, isolated his defender, and hit the most significant shot of his Arizona career.
The win marks Arizona’s eighth straight victory and sends them to the Big 12 championship game for a high-stakes rematch. Last season, the Wildcats fell to Houston in the title game, and they will now have the opportunity to avenge that loss on Saturday night. With Bradley leading the charge and Dell’Orso finding his stroke at the perfect time, the Wildcats look like the team to beat as March Madness looms.
Championship Outlook
As Arizona prepares for the final, the focus shifts to recovery and preparation for a physical Houston defense. The Wildcats previously beat Houston on February 21, and another win would likely secure them a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. For Iowa State, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow after a nearly perfect performance, but their offensive explosion suggests they will be a dangerous out in the Big Dance. As for Jaden Bradley, his buzzer-beater will live long in Big 12 lore as the "instant classic" that defined the 2026 tournament.
