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West Virginia Eliminates Arizona

Mountaineers hit 11 3-pointer to cruise past Wildcats

By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser User

Posted Mar 21, 2008 12:13 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The NCAA Tournament selection committee gave Arizona its nation's-best 24th straight trip to the Big Dance. Last night, West Virginia made sure the Wildcats lost in the first round for the 10th time during that streak with a 75-65 win, reports the Associated Press. The seventh-seeded Mountaineers did much of their damage from the outside, hitting 11 of 19 3-pointers.

Alex Ruoff scored 21 points and Da'Sean Butler added 19 for West Virginia (25-10). Arizona (19-15) also had its streak of 20 straight 20 wins seasons snapped. The Mountaineers took the lead for good when Ruoff hit a 3-pointer at the 17:43 mark. The 11 3-pointers tied a season high for West Virginia.

Arizona forward Chase Budinger (34) applies pressure to West Virginia guard Darris Nichols during first half action in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball game last night.
Arizona forward Chase Budinger (34) applies pressure to West Virginia guard Darris Nichols during first half action in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball game last night.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
West Virginia center Jamie Smalligan looks up at the clock and celebrates his teams victory in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball gamelast night. West Virginia defeated Arizona 75-65.
West Virginia center Jamie Smalligan looks up at the clock and celebrates his teams victory in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball gamelast night. West Virginia defeated Arizona 75-65.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
West Virginia Alex Rouff pulls in a rebound during second half action in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball game. West Virginia beat Arizona, 75-65.
West Virginia Alex Rouff pulls in a rebound during second half action in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball game. West Virginia beat Arizona, 75-65.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Arizona forward Jordan Hill stretches for the basket under pressure from West Virginia center Jamie Smalligan during the second half of a first-round NCAA Tournament West Regional game last night.
Arizona forward Jordan Hill stretches for the basket under pressure from West Virginia center Jamie Smalligan during the second half of a first-round NCAA Tournament West Regional game last night.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless collides with West Virginia guard Alex Ruoff during first half action in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball game, Thursday March 20, 2008, in Washington.
Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless collides with West Virginia guard Alex Ruoff during first half action in a first round NCAA West Regional basketball game, Thursday March 20, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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NCAA • NCAA basketball • West Virginia Mountaineers • Arizona Wildcats • Big East • Pac-10 Conference • 2008 NCAA Tournament • Alex Ruoff • Da'Sean Butler

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