Arizona Wildcats Lead Iowa State 39-27 at Half — Jaden Bradley Pours In 12 as Cyclones Shoot Themselves Out
Arizona basketball is firmly in control through the first half of tonight's Big 12 showdown. The Arizona Wildcats lead the Iowa State Cyclones 39-27 at halftime in Tucson on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 ET — with Iowa State vs. Arizona turning into an ugly shooting night for the Cyclones and a free-throw clinic for the Wildcats.
Arizona vs. Iowa State Live Score — Wildcats Up 12 at Half
The Arizona Wildcats hold a 39-27 lead over the Iowa State Cyclones through one half of play at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona. Arizona basketball shot 39.3% from the floor but converted 14-of-16 free throws at 87.5% to build their advantage. Iowa State is shooting a dismal 26.5% from the field and just 19.0% from three-point range — connecting on only 4 of 21 attempts beyond the arc.
Jaden Bradley Leads Arizona Basketball with 12 Points
Jaden Bradley is the standout performer in the first half for Arizona basketball, scoring 12 points on 2-of-5 shooting while converting all 8 of his free throw attempts with 2 steals added. Brayden Burries is shooting the ball beautifully at 66.7% — 4-of-6 — contributing 9 points and 3 assists. Motiejus Krivas added 8 points on 6-of-6 free throws from the center position.
Tobe Awaka is doing the dirty work on the glass for the Wildcats, pulling down 7 rebounds — 3 offensive — while scoring 2 points and adding a steal. Arizona basketball has outrebounded Iowa State 22 to 21, with 6 offensive boards creating 4 second-chance points.
Iowa State Shooting Woes in Big 12 Showdown
Tamin Lipsey is carrying the Iowa State Cyclones offensively with 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting, including 1-of-5 from three. Jamarion Batemon has 6 points but is 2-of-8 from the floor. Joshua Jefferson has 6 points and 5 rebounds but is shooting 1-of-6 and has committed 3 turnovers.
The Cyclones have committed 8 turnovers in the first half, leading directly to 12 Arizona points off turnovers. Iowa State has 9 offensive rebounds but has yet to convert that second-chance activity into meaningful scoring — generating only 5 second-chance points on those opportunities.
Key Team Stats — Iowa State vs. Arizona at Halftime
| Stat | Arizona | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 39 | 27 |
| FG% | 39.3% | 26.5% |
| 3PT% | 27.3% | 19.0% |
| FT Made-Att | 14-16 | 5-5 |
| Rebounds | 22 | 21 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 8 |
| Points Off TOs | 12 | 5 |
| Biggest Lead | 14 | 1 |
Arizona Basketball's Biggest Lead Reaches 14
Arizona basketball stretched the margin to 14 points — its biggest lead of the half — before Iowa State trimmed it modestly in the final minutes of the first half. The Wildcats forced 8 turnovers and converted them into a 12-to-5 advantage in points off turnovers — arguably the single biggest statistical gap defining this Iowa State vs. Arizona matchup through 20 minutes.
The Cyclones bench produced only 6 points while Arizona's reserves contributed 10 — another area where the Wildcats are winning the margin battle. With Iowa State struggling to find any offensive rhythm and Arizona basketball protecting the ball while attacking the free throw line, the second half will require a dramatic shooting turnaround from the Cyclones to keep this game competitive.
