12/29/1961

Cats Gain Momentum, Seek 4th Straight Win

By CARL PORTER

BRUISING BASKETBALL
Arizona met one of its most bruising opponents on the backboards last night in the persons of the BYU Cougars, as witness this scramble under the basket in which UA soph center Dan Breck (20) comes down with the ball amid flying arms and bodies. Teammates Larry Harris (32) and Joe Skaisgir (foreground) are on hand to help him out against Cougars Jim Kelson (33), Bruce Burton (43) and Larry Blumenthal (55).

Arizonas Wildcats, picking, up momentum like a Ferrari on the straightaway, hope to blast by the sputtering Pioneers of Denver for their fourth straight win at Bear Down Gym tonight.

Coach Bruce Larson and Co. made it three in a row (now 4-7 on the season) last night when they went into high gear in the second half to nip the rugged Cougars of Brigham Young University, 60-58, at the wire.

And though Arizona’s greatest thrust came from a one-man powerpack by name of Joe Skaisgir again last night, the Wildcats got an added spark from a Mutt and Jeff combination (5-9 Buster Forbes and 6-7 Dan Breck) which came off the bench to give captain Skaisgir some much-needed support.

Neither of course, came near matching Skaisgir’s all-around brilliance as he flipped in 9 field goals and 9 of 10 free throws for 27 points.

But it was the scrambling little Forbes who came into the game in the last nine minutes of the first half to hit six quick points and steal the ball several times, helping Skaisgir pull the Cats back within reach (33-40) at the intermission, after trailing by as much as 14 points at one time.

Then Larson surprised the crowd by starting Breck, a gangling and sometimes eratic sophomore, the second half. The result proved fruitful enough that UA went with the same five men the whole second period (Skaisgir. Breck, Forbes, Larry Harris and Bill Decker).

“Dan really came through for us.” said a happy Larson. “He got six points and about six rebounds the second half, but the big thing was his defense. He blocked three or four shots in crucial situations.”

Larson credited Breck’s contribution, along with the fact UA dropped hack on defense the second half to concentrate on rebounding, for turning the time of victory.

Consequently, Breck will join the 6-5 Skasgir, 6-5 Harris, 6-2 Decker and 6-0 Wes Flynn in the starting lineup against Denver tonight.

In Denver, Arizona will be facing a squad with high pre-season hopes which has faltered to a 2-6 record thus far in the current campaign. The Pioneers rely heavily on a pair of juniors who made second-team A1l-Skyline Conference last season, 6-1 forward Tim Vezie (16.0 ppg last year) and 6-0 guard Dennis Hodge (14.3 ppg last season). Last night, Denver suffered a demoralizing blow in losing to Arizona State University, 106-62. Other defeats have been by Regis (62-60). NYU (83-69), Michigan (74-63), DePau1 (79-50) and Creighton (60-59) while winning from Regis (74-61) and Colorado College (41-40).

CRIP SHOTS — Arizona, out-rebounded 34-22 the first half last night, matched the Cougars, 22-22, the second half ... Arizona went ahead fo the first time (50-49) when Breck hit a twisting jump shot wfth 8:29 to play ... BYU was handicapped by the absence of scoring star Bob Skousen, who sprained an ankle against New Mexico State Wednesday ... Tonight’s game will feature a championship gymnastic show at half time, along with a family ticket plan.