Associated Press Arizona's Luke Walton, right, goes up against Wyoming's Josh Davis in the final minute of Arizona's 68-60 win over Wyoming in the second round of the NCAA West Regionals in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday.

Arizona shatters Cowboy slipper, heads to Sweet 16

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Judging by the reaction of the crowd to the entrance of the Arizona coaching staff and players, it would have been easy to mistake "The Pit" in Albuquerque for the "Dome of Doom" in Laramie, Wyo. Luckily for the Wildcats, they had been exposed to such conditions, and maintained an early lead to get the 68-60 victory over the Cowboys.

Arizona will take on No. 2 seed Oklahoma in San Jose, Calif., Thursday in the Sweet 16. It will be the seventh time in the past 12 seasons the Wildcats have advanced to the Sweet 16.

The capacity crowd was pulling for Wyoming since both teams entered the arena. Cowboy fans, who were looking to see their team advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1987, chanted "W-Y-O," for most of the game.

In addition, the local New Mexico fans were just as unfriendly to the visiting Wildcats, and it turned what was supposed to be neutral court into a pro-Wyoming crowd. The reason the local fans were cheering against UA was that after a close loss three years ago to New Mexico, UA head coach Lute Olson vowed he would not return to the Lobos' home arena.

However, Olson did not seem to mind returning this weekend.

"The atmosphere was great," Olson said. "I think it is great that the fans were as vocal as they were. We don't care if you are yelling for us or against us. It keeps the adrenaline going."

Arizona came out of the gates quick, hitting its first three shots from the field - two of them three-pointers - to take an 8-0 lead.

The Cowboys - after making just 1 of 3 shots to start the game - responded with a run of their own and eventually took a 14-11 advantage. Then junior guard Jason Gardner and freshman center Channing Frye took over.

Gardner scored eight points and dished out four assists as the Wildcats scored 16 of the next 18 points.

Gardner assisted or scored on 25 of the team's 34 first-half points and Arizona took a five-point lead into the break.

Frye scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds and had five blocks in the opening half.

In the process, the Wildcats also managed to get one of Wyoming's key players - guard Donta Richardson - in foul trouble.

Richardson, who managed to shut down Gonzaga's Dan Dickau in the Cowboys' opening-round win, played just nine minutes of the opening half, picking up his third foul with five minutes left.

"To have him on the sidelines was good for our guards," Gardner said. "It gave us an opportunity to get shots and get into the lane."

Arizona continued to hold a lead in the second half, but it was anything but safe.

"We had our hands full," Olson said. "Wyoming did a great job of competing. It looked like a few times we had them in trouble, and they battled their way back."

The Cowboys repeatedly made runs at the Wildcats and never let the lead get above 10.

Wyoming forward Josh Davis was a force in the final half, coming up with huge offensive rebounds and dunks to keep the Cowboys within striking distance.

Davis finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds - 13 of which came in the second half.

Junior forward Luke Walton countered Davis's big second half with one of his own.

Walton was Arizona's go-to man and did not disappoint. At one point, Walton hit four consecutive shots, on his way to a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds.

But the resilient Cowboys would not go away. Bailey pulled Wyoming to within four with 59.7 seconds left with a free throw.

Gardner was immediately fouled on the inbounds play but missed the front end of the one-and-one free-throw situation.

Junior forward Ricky Anderson pulled down the rebound and passed it to Walton, who was fouled. Walton hit both and Arizona went on to win, 68-60.

Olson said he is happy to have this game over and move on to the Sweet 16, especially given the team's youth and tough schedule.

"We are happy to have this one-game season over," Olson said. "We are looking to our next one-game season. We had no idea how the young guys would respond to that pressure. They work hard and compete hard. It has been very gratifying. I would hope that we are not done yet."