Seniors lead Wildcats to victory over Cowboys

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior center A.J. Bramlett (42) dunks the ball while freshman forward Michael Wright (21) watches during the game against Wyoming at America West Arena in Phoenix on Saturday. Bramlett had 24 points and 17 rebounds in the 94-84 win against the Wyoming Cowboys.

And after falling behind 13-4 to Wyoming Saturday over the first two minutes of the game, the time had come.

Two hours later, Terry had a career-high 29 points and seven assists, Bramlett had 24 points, also a career high, and 17 rebounds as No. 13 Arizona (4-0) beat the Cowboys (3-2) 94-84 at America West Arena in Phoenix.

"Both Terry and A.J. were outstanding," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "That's what seniors are."

With the absence of junior forward Eugene Edgerson, who was suspended for the game after a flagrant elbow last weekend against BYU, Olson was forced to start three freshmen in Traves Wilson, Richard Jefferson and Michael Wright.

While each of the three has shown sparks so far this season, they, along with fellow freshmen Rick Anderson and Ruben Douglas, combined to hit only four of the 19 shots they attempted in the first half.

"We're really, really sputtering with the rookies," Olson said. "We weren't on their shooters and we weren't getting back like we needed to."

The Cowboys, on the other hand, were on fire, connecting on seven three-pointers and using 15 first-half points from LeDarion Jones as they took a 49-44 halftime lead.

"If a team can hit those (three-point) shots all game long, they deserve to win," Jefferson said. "But realistically, that's not going to happen."

Behind Terry, Bramlett and forward Justin Wessel, who went 6 of 7 from the floor on the way to a career-high 15 points, UA used a late 24-2 run in the second half to take the lead for good.

"It seems every game, we play UA basketball for eight or nine minutes and put away our opponents," Jefferson said.

Part of the comeback can be traced to Cowboy foul trouble, as UA went to the free throw line 30 times in the second half, connecting 21 times. Three Wyoming starters fouled out of the game.

While players were obviously relieved to have won after being down by as many as nine points during the second half, Wessel warned that coming back would not be as easy once conference games start in January.

"We've got to start putting together 40 minute games," he said, "because if we play like this once Pac-10 play starts, we're going to get killed."

Olson praised Wessel after the game, saying his versatility really helped when the Cowboys started putting on the pressure.

"Wessel did a really good job coming in," Olson said. "He gave us help on the full court pressure when we needed it. He can be a very important guy to us."

Despite losing, Wyoming head coach Steve McClain said he was grateful for the opportunity to play the Wildcats, who were ranked No. 13 in the latest AP top 25 poll.

"I appreciate coach Olson giving us the opportunity to play," said McClain, who added that he at one point had attended one of Olson's basketball camps at Iowa. "They are a class program."

Arizona, particularly Terry and Bramlett, who are averaging 41 and 36 minutes per game respectively, will now take some time off for exams before playing UC Irvine at McKale Center on Dec. 14.

Seth Doria can be reached via e-mail at Seth.Doria@wildcat.arizona.edu.