In Tucson on February 22, 2025, BYU clinched 96–95 win after Tony Padilla’s controversial foul call
BYU secured a dramatic 96–95 win over the Arizona Wildcats in a thrilling Big 12 matchup at McKale Center in Tucson on February 22, 2025. The victory was sealed in the final seconds following a contentious foul call. According to Joe Lago of The Big Lead, junior forward Richie Saunders—who added 23 points to the score—drove to the basket and spun past Arizona’s senior forward Trey Townsend. In that critical moment, referee Tony Padilla called a foul, awarding Saunders two free throws with just 3.2 seconds remaining, which ultimately clinched the win for the Cougars.
Following the decisive play, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd expressed his displeasure, labeling the decision a “bad call.” Lloyd, who rarely sees his team lose when they score 90 or more points, pointed to defensive lapses as a significant factor in the loss, noting that Arizona had already surrendered 94 points before the final play. His remarks underscored long-standing defensive issues that plagued the Wildcats throughout the game.
Meanwhile, the on-court drama quickly spilled over into off-court incidents. Shortly after the final buzzer, a confrontation erupted between BYU’s Mawot Mag and Arizona’s Caleb Love amid an already charged atmosphere. Adding further fuel to the fire, some fans resorted to an unacceptable chant targeting the faith of BYU supporters. In response, Arizona’s vice president and director of athletics, Desireé Reed-Francois, promptly issued an apology to BYU’s community and condemned the behavior as unreflective of the institution’s values.
Ultimately, despite the controversial call and subsequent incidents, the win marked BYU’s fourth consecutive victory and a significant triumph over a ranked opponent. In my opinion, the enhanced transitions now create a smoother narrative, clearly linking the on-court action with the broader fallout, and offering a well-rounded view of one of the season’s most debated finishes.