Terry's defense key to second-half surge

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Jason Terry was once-again "Mr. Clutch" for Arizona.

Last night's 65-57 win over South Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was not due to great outside shooting or outstanding rebounding. It was due to a spirited defensive effort led by the Arizona sophomore guard.

Just as in Arizona's 69-61 win over Utah in December, when he scored 19 points, Terry set the pace of the game during UA's second-half defensive charge.

"We just had to pick it up in the second half and I tried to get us going," Terry said. "I knew our pressure could get to them and eventually it did."

With under three minutes remaining, Terry injected some life into a lackluster Arizona team with a three-pointer to pull the Wildcats within one.

Then with the game tied at 55-55, Terry made a key steal - one of his career-high-tying five on the night - off the press and drew a foul and hit a free throw to put the Wildcats ahead for good.

"When J.T. hit that shot, he really got us going," UA junior guard Miles Simon said. "But his defense in the second half was a big key for us."

Terry's five steals moved his record-setting single-season total to 73.

"J.T.'s been big for us all year and tonight was no exception," UA sophomore center A.J. Bramlett said.

Terry will have his hands full when Arizona squares off with College of Charleston tomorrow. Guard Anthony Johnson is a big reason the 12th-seeded Cougars upset fifth-seeded Maryland.

"It'll be a big game for us," Terry said. "But, I'll be ready."