Lauri Markkanen and Allonzo Trier combined for 30 points and No. 2-seeded Arizona rallied to defeat No. 7 Saint Mary's 69-60 and advance to the West Regional's Sweet Sixteen on Saturday night.
Arizona's Rawle Alkins left the game in the first half with a dislocated finger, only to return and contribute six points.
"We hung in there," said Arizona head coach Sean Miller. "It was really like a microcosm of our entire season. Rawle dislocated his finger just the way that Kadeem Allen did a few weeks back when it popped out."
The Wildcats were on the ropes in the first half, but found life in the second half to pull away for the win.
"Going into halftime, we knew we weren't playing our best basketball," said guard Kadeem Allen. "We came out in the second half and kept playing and battled it out."
The teams went back and forth in the second 20 minutes until Arizona went on an 11-2 run sparked by Trier, who took over the second half. He scored nine of those 11 points during the stretch with a dribble-drive layup, midrange jumpers and a 3-pointer. The run gave the Wildcats a 55-48 lead and Saint Mary's never led again.
Arizona shot 59.1 percent from the field in the second half.
Markkanen finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Trier scored 14.
"I got a little more comfortable as the game went on," said Markkanen. "I just tried to be as physical as I can."
Jock Landale battled with Markkanen throughout and had his 17th double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Gaels. Teammate Calvin Hermanson added 14 points.
"We're thrilled to be playing, and we beat a really good team tonight," added Miller.
