The Arizona men’s basketball team looks to be in good shape as it tries to secure its eighth consecutive victory of the season, leading Texas Tech 35-25 at halftime.
In their first game since beating Duke in the NIT Season Tip-Off championship, the No. 2 ranked Arizona Wildcats were welcomed home by a loud ZonaZoo who kept high energy all throughout the half. At the first media timeout, Arizona had already stifled Texas Tech’s momentum and easily took a commanding 10-0 lead.
The Wildcats found themselves struggling with turnovers for the first time this year. With 3 minutes to go in the half, Arizona had twice the amount of turnovers as its opponent and ended the period with 11. Despite the turnover obstacle, the UA saw itself leading with 22 rebounds nine assists, and two blocks to the Red Raiders’ nine, five, and one respectively.
Sophomore forward Brandon Ashley played a key role in Arizona’s early success finishing the half shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field while compiling nine points, adding five rebounds, and an assist.
Arizona saw the Red Raiders shrink the deficit to five points a couple of times, but the Wildcats eventually pulled ahead, and led by 14 points with 1:56 remaining in the first half.
Arizona ended the half shooting 55 percent from the field.
Junior guard Nick Johnson added nine points to go along with a rebound and an assist.
Freshman forwards Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson picked up right where they left off before the team’s trip to New York. Combined, the two put up 14 of Arizona’s 35 points.
Gordon ended the first half with 10 points and four rebounds over 17 minutes of play. Hollis-Jefferson contributed with four points and three rebounds.
— Follow Evan Rosenfeld @EvanRosenfeld17