Arizona basketball has turned McKale Memorial Center in to a virtual fortress as of late, going in to Thursday night’s game against Oregon riding a 49-game win streak at home. It was the longest in the nation, with the key word being was.
That’s because No. 23 Oregon took down No. 18 Arizona 83-75, marking the first win from a visitor to Tuscon in three years.
WATCH: Boucher gives Oregon its biggest lead of the night! Ducks up 10 on ESPN2 with under 2 minutes left! #GoDucks https://t.co/3M3GpveFzF
— Oregon Basketball (@OregonMBB) January 29, 2016
Dillon Brooks led all scorers with 24 points, while three other Ducks also scored in double figures in the win. It was a highly improbable victory, especially considering Oregon let Arizona shoot 61 percent from the field and couldn’t contain Wildcats star Ryan Anderson, who scored 22 points in the losing effort. Anderson apologized to just about everyone associated with this team in any capacity after this game.
“I just want to say that on behalf of the team,” Anderson said, “we apologize to the fans, players, coaches, all the guys that put work into the streak.”
Final: Arizona 75, Oregon 83
Wildcats national-leading home win streak snapped at 49. We look to start another one on Saturday. #BearDown
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) January 29, 2016
The streak wasn’t just impressive for its pure longevity, it was also impressive because of how it had been done. Arizona came in having won the last 23 games against Pac-12 foes and hadn’t lost since a 77-69 defeat to Cal back on Feb. 10, 2013. That said, the streak only included two wins against Top 25 teams — a 66-63 overtime win over then No. 9 Gonzaga and a 69-51 victory over No. 8 Utah, both during the 2014-15 season.
To add to the shock of the streak ending, the Wildcats really needed a big win against a ranked conference opponent Thursday night.
This Arizona team looks to be reeling at the moment. The Wildcats are on their second two-game losing streak in conference play after starting the season 13-1 and looking like a serious contender on the national level. Since January began, the Wildcats are 4-4 in the Pac-12 with what seems like a must-win game against struggling Oregon State on Saturday.