Billikens give No. 7 Arizona a big scare

ST. LOUIS -- Andre Iguodala had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Salim Stoudamire hit two clinching free throws with 12 seconds to go, helping No. 7 Arizona survive a scare with a 68-67 victory over Saint Louis on Saturday.

Saint Louis (3-2) thought it had forced overtime when Reggie Bryant hit an apparent 3-pointer from the top of the key with 3.1 seconds to go and the Billikens didn't foul on the ensuing inbounds. But after a replay review it was ruled Bryant, who had 24 points and five 3-pointers, had his foot on the 3-point line when he shot.

Arizona (2-1) was frustrated throughout by Saint Louis' man-to-man defense and patient attack and trailed by 12 points in the first half and as many as nine in the second half. The Wildcats took their first lead at 49-48 with 11:24 to go, part of a 21-4 run.

Chris Rodgers hit two of 3-pointers at the end of the run to make it 58-50 with 8:02 remaining.

But Arizona, which beat Saint Louis 91-58 last year in Tucson, Ariz., couldn't shake the Billikens. Saint Louis twice cut the gap to one in the final minute, also getting a three-point play from Chris Sloan to make it 66-65 with 14 seconds left.

Stoudamire added 19 points, including the first of the two late free throws which he made despite being hit as he shot by a rubber ball which was thrown out of the stands.

Adams had 14 points and Rodgers added 10 for Arizona, which might have been looking past this game. Iguodala had five assists for the Wildcats, who play No. 8 Texas on Tuesday and No. 24 Marquette next Saturday.

Arizona rebounded from a 78-77 loss to Florida on Nov. 28 despite an off-game from Channing Frye, who entered the game averaging 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. Frye was held to seven points and seven rebounds.

Saint Louis, which shot only 29 percent from 3-point range in its first four games, was 9-for-25 against Arizona. Bryant was 5-for-11 and Josh Fisher and Anthony Drejaj each hit two from long ragne.

Fisher and Drejaj each had 12 points and Sloan added 11.

Saint Louis went 6:06 between baskets late in the half and the lead was shaved to three points, but Drejaj hit a layup with 40 seconds left and then hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Arizona played in St. Louis for the first time since Dec. 11, 1957, when it lost 61-52 to Washington University. That school is now a member of Division III.