As Arizona assembled its nonconfernece slate during the offseason, adding one big name opponent after another, the prospect of running the table never seemed possible. A loss or two had to happen along the way, it was just the law of averages. So much for that. The top-ranked Wildcats (13-0) blew out South Dakota State […]
As Arizona assembled its nonconfernece slate during the offseason, adding one big name opponent after another, the prospect of running the table never seemed possible. A loss or two had to happen along the way, it was just the law of averages.
So much for that.
The top-ranked Wildcats (13-0) blew out South Dakota State 99-71 on Monday night to complete a perfect nonconference slate. It is the fourth time in school history the UA has won its first 13 games and is the best start to a season since the school-record 21-0 start in 2013-14.
It was Arizona’s eighth consecutive win by at least 20 points, matching the school record set in 1928-29, and also gave Tommy Lloyd his 125th win. Lloyd got there in 158 games, 12 fewer than Fred Enke in the 1930s.
Three Wildcats posted double-doubles led by Koa Peat’s 19 points and career-high 14 rebounds. He was one point away from being the first UA freshman with a 20-10 game since Bennedict Mathurin.
Jaden Bradley had 13 points and a career-best 10 assists and Motiejus Krivas added 13 points and 11 rebounds as Arizona shot 53.2 percent, made 9 of 23 3-pointers and went 24 of 31 from the line.
The UA led 51-35 at halftime and got it to 20 before the first media timeout on a Brayden Burries steal and layup. The Wildcats made only five of their first 13 shots in the second half but made up for it by scoring plenty at the line.
Things got a little chippy as the outcome was no longer in doubt, with a few hard fouls including one by SDSU’s Jaden Rogers against Bradley that resulted in a flagrant.
A 10-0 run put the Wildcats up 31 with 5:42 to go.
Arizona made seven straight shots, including four 3-pointers with Peat banking one in for his first career 3, to build a 21-11 lead less than seven minutes in. Turnovers were the only things stopping the Wildcats, with five in the first eight minutes.
A jumper by Peat put the UA up 32-16 with 10:16 left and got the lead up to 19 before halftime but missed eight of its last nine shots following a 14-of-21 start.
Arizona begins Big 12 play Saturday at Utah.
Category: General Sports
