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Caleb Love nails half-court buzzer beater, sends Arizona to overtime vs. Iowa State

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•01/27/25•

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Arizona G Caleb Love
(Yannick Peterhans | USA TODAY Sports)

The nightcap of Big Monday has been a thriller between Arizona and Iowa State. Two teams fighting near the top of the Big 12, Iowa State they were going to escape Tuscon with a quality win. Just a couple of seconds were between them and a happy flight back hope.

But up two, Joshua Jefferson went one of two from the free throw line to extend the lead to three. Caleb Love received the ensuing inbounds pass and magic happened. In the blink of an eye, the game was going into overtime.

Love was forced to pull up well behind the Arizona logo, seemingly being a prayer. Well, they were answered as the ball rattled into the hoop. The McKale Center was sent into a frenzy and five more minutes of basketball will be played.

You can check out the full moment here.

Before the made half-courter, Love was having a dreadful shooting day. It was just his second three-point make on the night on 12 attempts. Getting to the rim was not an issue, shooting 4-7 from inside the arc.

For the most part, this has been the story of Love’s college basketball career. At times, he appears to be one of the best scorers in college basketball. On other nights, he cannot buy a bucket. And then sometimes, Love finds a way to combine them into both. That’s what happened on Monday night.

Arizona will have to regather their emotions as five more minutes of basketball remain. Getting a win would be huge for their NCAA Tournament resume, needing a signature moment. Taking down Iowa State would certainly qualify as the Cyclones are currently ranked No. 3 and only have two losses.

More on contest between Arizona, Iowa State

First place in the Big 12 was not going to be on the line Monday night. Houston is still undefeated in conference play at 8-0, earning a huge win against Kansas on Saturday. But sitting right behind the Cougars is the spot available as Arizona and Iowa State continue to battle. Both teams entered with 7-1 Big 12 records and are a game ahead of Texas Tech.

For years, the Big 12 has been one of the more brutal conferences out there, being a grind on a weekly basis. Arizona-Iowa State is the latest example as they are in overtime just ahead of midnight on the East Coast.