SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat All-America candidate Jason Gardner was solid in the clutch again last night for top-ranked Arizona, connecting on 6-of-6 late game free throw attempts.

No. 1 Arizona relies on clutch free throws late to preserve victory over ASU

Starting slow has been a problem for Arizona in the first half, but last night, it was the second half that gave the nation's No. 1 team a problem.

The Wildcats nearly blew a 26-point lead in the second half, but held on to win their 10th straight game 71-63 against in-state rival Arizona State in McKale Center.

"It certainly was a game of two halves," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "In the first half, we really made it difficult for them to do what they wanted to do. We did a very good job of moving the basketball. We did a great job in the first half on both ends."

Arizona (14-1, 7-0) stormed out to a 51-25 lead with less than 15 minutes to play in the game.

Game Review Player of the Game: Channing Frye. Frye scored 13 points (6-10fg) and had seven rebounds, while limiting ASU center Ike Diogu to 3 of 6 from the filed and just four rebounds. Diogu also had six turnovers. Play of the Game: With 19 seconds left in the game, Jason Gardner hit the first of two free throws to make it a three-possession game. Stat of the Game: After going 3-12 from the free throw line to start the game, Arizona made its last eight all in the last three minutes to preserve the win

But the Sun Devils didn't go away quietly.

ASU (12-6, 4-3) went on a 31-10 run to cut the one time 26-point lead to 61-56 with 5:34 remaining.

"We were embarrassed in the second half," senior forward Rick Anderson said. " That should not happen against our rivals. We have to be able to come out and put two halves of good basketball together like a No. 1 team is suppose to."

With Arizona lacking defensive intensity, sophomore Salim Stoudamire watched from the bench from the 14-minute mark on as Olson was displeased with the guard's play.

During ASU's run, the Wildcats were settling on quick shots on the offensive end and they were unable to control the offensive glass like they did in the first half.

Coming into the game, ASU's plan was to work the ball into freshman forward Ike Diogu to try to establish an inside presence along with center Tommy Smith.

That game plan was thrown out the window before ASU's run began as Smith fouled out with 13 minutes remaining.

Arizona's defense clamped down on Diogu by limiting the freshman to only six field goal attempts in the game.

"I was pleased to see that Channing Frye was 6-of-10 from the field, and Isaiah (Fox) was 4-of-4," Olson said. "Channing played very well, and Isaiah did a good job off the bench."

With ASU's two big men struggling, the Sun Devils game plan changed to an up and down game, which many would think would favor the more athletic Wildcats.

Sun Devils' guard Curtis Millage and forward Kenny Crandall became the go to players down the stretch as the Sun Devils exposed the Wildcats in their 1-3-1 zone.

Crandall finished the game with four, three pointers and Millage, who played the entire 40 minutes, finished with a game high of 20 points.

"We can compete with anyone," Millage said.

The Wildcats missed eight consecutive free throws to help keep ASU's chances alive.

With UA struggling to find an answer to match the Sun Devils' intensity, UA's three seniors, Walton, Anderson and Gardner were looked upon to preserve the win for the Wildcats.

In the closing three minutes, with ASU closing within five points, Anderson and Gardner went 8-of-8 from the line.

Gardner finished the game with 19 points and seven rebounds.

Coming into the game, Olson said that shutting down Diogu was going to be essential for the success of the Wildcats and Frye and Fox were up for the challenge.

Arizona's two big men finished with a combined 10 points on 10-14 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds.

Frye and Fox's counter part Diogu, finished with 15 points and four rebounds, but he managed to only make three shots on six attempts.

"All week all of the talk has been Ike this and Ike that," Frye said. " I took it kind of personal. I was motivated to come out and make a statement."

With No. 6 Kansas up next for the Wildcats, Walton said the team realizes that they will have to plat much better to have a chance to come out on top.

"We have to play for 40 minutes to win on Saturday," Walton said. "We are not scared to go into Kansas."

Game notes

ASU senior starter Donnell Knight made the trip to Tucson, but didn't play because of academic problems ·

The Wildcats held ASU's top two offensive rebounders, Diogu and Smith to zero offensive boards ·

Arizona's next opponent, No. 6 Kansas, was upset by Colorado, 60-59 ·

ASU guard Kyle Dodd, who is best remembered for starting a fight with Walton in last year's meeting in Tucson, was booed every time he touched the ball ·

UA has beaten the Sun Devils 15 of the last 16 times.