No. 1 Arizona used smothering defense to open Pac-12 play with a win.
Arizona (14-0, 1-0 Pac-12) beat Washington State 60-25 Thursday night.
The Wildcats held the Cougars (7-6, 0-1) to 20 percent shooting and 17 percent from three point range, on 9-45 shooting. WSU was also held to just two field goals in the first half.
Arizona sophomore center Kaleb Tarczewski led the way with 11 points and three rebounds in his return to the line up after injury. Junior guard T.J. McConnell had eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
Arizona shot 44 percent, out rebounded the Cougars 42-28 and forced 14 turnovers while committing 11.
Junior guard Nick Johnson had eight points, while freshman forward Aaron Gordon was held to five points but had 10 rebounds.
WSU sophomore forward Junior Longrus led Washington State in scoring with six points.
The Cougars’ 25 points set a Arizona opponent record for the fewest points scored against the Wildcats. The previous low was 37 by NAU in 1989. Washington State also set the record for the fewest field goals made with nine. The previous low was 13 also by NAU.
By scoring a total of 25 points, Thursday, the Cougars finished the game with the fewest points since 1938.
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