UW beats Arizona to increase Pac-12 lead

TUCSON — Matisse Thybulle set the tone early by blocking Brandon Randolph’s jumper in the paint.

Washington’s long-armed senior guard swatted away Ryan Luther’s shot two minutes later and kept knocking balls away, swatting and stealing the Huskies to the cusp of a Pac-12 title.

Thybulle had 15 points, five blocked shots and five steals, helping Washington remain undefeated in Pac12 play with a 67-60 win over Arizona on Thursday night.

The rest of the Pac-12 should look out for the Huskies — if they aren’t already.

With big man Noah Dickerson limited by a right ankle sprain and several players sick — Thybulle among them — Washington (19-4, 10-0 Pac-12) had another impressive defensive night, forcing 20 turnovers while holding Arizona to 37 percent shooting.

The Huskies are off to their best conference start since going 14-0 in 1952-53 and have won 12 straight games, all while holding opponents to 70 points or less.

With Thybulle and Crisp leading the way up top, Washington harassed the Wildcats with their 2-3 zone, jumping into passing lanes and contesting shots along

UW: 19-4 overall, 10-0 Pac-12 ARI: 14-9 overall, 5-5 Pac-12

the 3-point arc to put a Pac12 regular-season title within reach.

Coming off an overtime loss to rival Arizona State, Arizona (14-9, 5-5) played without freshman guard Brandon Williams due to a lingering knee injury. The Wildcats could have used his perimeter shot and ballhandling, finishing 4 for 18 from 3-point range while giving up 13 points off turnovers.

Justin Coleman led the Wildcats with 16 points.