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Koa Peat leads Arizona to first Final Four under Lloyd

Freshman Koa Peat scored 20 points to lead Arizona past Purdue in the Elite Eight on Saturday, sending the Wildcats to the Final Four for the first time under head coach Tommy Lloyd.

Koa Peat leads Arizona to first Final Four under Lloyd
Bryce James, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries have been key contributors to Arizona's run to the Final Four this March. Ryder Jerome / Tucson Spotlight.

The Wildcats aren't coming home just yet. Koa Peat's 20-point performance carried Arizona past Purdue in the Elite Eight on Saturday, sending the program to the Final Four for the first time under head coach Tommy Lloyd.

The victory capped a tournament run in which Arizona averaged more than 86.5 points per game while holding opponents under 68.8, demonstrating dominance on both ends of the court. It also marked a breakthrough for Lloyd, who had not advanced past the Sweet 16 in his previous four seasons.

Arizona shot 46.6% from the field against Purdue while limiting the Boilermakers' opportunities and turning defensive stops into offense on the other end.

The run has been fueled by young talent across the roster, and this year Lloyd has guided the program all the way to the Final Four.


Ryder Jerome is a student at Ironwood Ridge High School and Tucson Spotlight intern. Follow his work at instagram.com/shot.byryder/

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