No. 5 Wildcats hold off Bruins 70-64 in Pac-12 semis

Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, center, passes against UCLA's Thomas Welsh, left, and UCLA's Norman Powell, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Pac-12 conference tournament Friday, March 13, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, center, passes against UCLA's Thomas Welsh, left, and UCLA's Norman Powell, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Pac-12 conference tournament Friday, March 13, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

By Associated Press March 13, 2015 3 min read

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Brandon Ashley scored 24 points and Arizona withstood a late rally to beat UCLA 70-64 in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals Friday night.

Arizona (30-3) sputtered against UCLA’s zone for long stretches before putting together a 15-0 run in the second half as the huge contingent of Arizona fans made the MGM Grand Arena feel like a home game for the Wildcats.

UCLA (20-13) clawed its way back, pulling within 66-64 behind a 3-pointer by Norman Powell and another by Kevon Looney with 19 seconds left.

T.J. McConnell and Ashley each hit two free throws after that, though, sending the Wildcats into Saturday’s championship game against Oregon or No. 17 Utah.

McConnell finished with 10 points and 11 assists.