Loud, naked, drunken fans storm Tucson

Arizona Daily Wildcat Two fans stand on the underside of an overturned police car in front of O'Malley's On Fourth, 247 N. Fourth Ave., after the Wildcats' 84-79 win over Kentucky in overtime last night.

Thousands of people flooded city streets last night and celebrated Arizona's win by giving hundreds of high-fives to strangers, turning over a couple of cars and streaking through crowds of crazed fans.

The Wildcat House, 1801 N. Stone Ave., reached its capacity a half hour before the game. By 6:45 p.m., 840 rowdy fans were cheering inside.

"They're really freaking about this," said Anna Roth, a junior majoring in English and general biology. "We don't have room to walk!"

When the Arizona and Kentucky tied at 22 in the first half, fans threw ice at each other to celebrate the comeback.

As soon as the game ended, strawberry daiquiris, beer and other drinks showered fans as disco lights flashed above their heads.

"We kicked some serious ass," said Brian Shay, a 1990 UA alumnus. "They have more heart than any other team. I'm just going to cry myself asleep and maybe drink a lot of beer."

Resembling a prison outbreak, North Fourth Avenue was taken over by a stream of fans - some naked - who managed to overturn a police car and climb light poles.

"Naked butts - this is exactly what we expected," said Emily Chaboya, an undeclared freshman.

A certain group of fans believed it was their superstitions that led to the Wildcats' victory.

"My friends and I wore the same clothes, sat in the same seats, drank another case of beer - we just did everything the same as the last game," said Matt Raithal, an environmental science senior. "That's why the Cats won."

At O'Malleys On Fourth, 247 N. Fourth Ave., a capacity crowd cheered as Kentucky and Arizona fought for the lead in the close game. Fans threw chairs and sprayed each other with beer as the overtime period ended and the Wildcats' victory was made official .

"I've never seen so much school spirit in my life," said Yolanda Lopez, a UA pharmacy student. "This makes all the hard years at school worth it."

Hillary Mallin, a retailing senior, said, "I'm so proud, now the whole country knows how good we really are."

Diane Crane, an accounting senior, said, "I've been watching Miles since he was a freshman, he's the best."

"Everyone under estimated us, and now they know how strong the Arizona Wildcats hearts are," said Lindsay Bernstein, a retail senior. "I'm getting my Final Four tickets for next year because I know we are going to be there."

People who packed Gentle Ben's Brewing Co., Geronimoz' and Frog and Firkin on East University Boulevard hit the streets after the final buzzer, throwing bottles and toilet paper as they cheered.