11/25/2008

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Chase Budinger scored 22 points as Arizona defeated Santa Clara 69-66 on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats (3-1) trailed the entire second half until a Jordan Hill slam dunk gave them a 67-66 lead with 2:09 left in the game.

Hill's dunk was the result of one of two Santa Clara (1-4) turnovers in the game's final minutes, which helped to rally the Wildcats at the NIT Season Tipoff.

After an entry pass by Michael Santos intended for John Bryant sailed out of bounds, Arizona took over posession. With 6.8 seconds remaining, Jamelle Horne scored a dunk to ice the win.

Hill had 20 points for Arizona on 8-of-11 shooting.

Santa Clara was led by 24 points from Bryant, and 21 by Kevin Foster.

Arizona scored the first 12 points of the game with 10 of those coming on layups and a dunk. But by halftime, the Broncos led 38-36.