Dunn’s Friars upset No. 11 Arizona
Former NLHS star keyed Friday’s rally
Fullerton, Calif. — With three starters in foul trouble, Providence had lost much of its firepower and the lead.
Arizona was on a big run, building a seven-point advantage, and Friars star Kris Dunn was on the bench for an excruciating 5-minute stretch.
Coach Ed Cooley turned to the former New London High School star, telling him, "Yo man, you got us here, we're going to ride your coattails all year."
Dunn went back in, scored Providence's last 10 points and the Friars upset the 11th-ranked Wildcats 6965 Friday night in the semifinals of the DirecTV Wooden Legacy.
"That was an exhausting, exhausting game," said Cooley, who was on his feet all game, swearing, berating and finally urging on his team.
After Providence's Rodney Bullock picked up his fourth foul during Arizona's 22-9 run, Cooley bellowed, "We're going to win this game."
Providence will play third-ranked Michigan State (6-0) in the title game Sunday night.
Ben Bentil scored a career-high 21 points for the Friars (6-0) and Dunn finished with 19. Bentil, Bullock and Dunn all had four fouls.
"Our team made some big plays," Dunn said. "It was just a great team win. Ben really stepped up for us."
Ryan Anderson had 27 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (5-1) and Gabe York added 10.
Dunn picked up his fourth foul during that Wildcats run that led to their biggest lead, 58-51. Anderson scored nine points in the spurt that was capped by York's 3-pointer.
The Friars ran off eight straight to lead 59-58. Anderson scored and York hit another 3 to give Arizona its last lead, 63-59.
That's when Dunn started his scoring spree. Anderson's two free throws in the middle of it tied the game for the sixth and last time in the half at 65-all.
Dunn hit a turnaround jumper for a 67-65 lead, and his fastbreak jumper off Parker Jackson-Cartwright's turnover sealed the win. It was one of the Wildcats' season-high 21 turnovers.
"Kris had a very hard-fought night. We weren't giving him anything," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "That also tells you how good he is. At the end of the game, you're kind of at his mercy. He was tremendous down stretch."