Arizona came out with high energy as the UA looked to extend its non-conference home game win streak to nine with a victory over Long Beach State Monday evening at McKale Center.
The Wildcats lead the 49ers 44-18 at the close of the first period.
Five minutes into the half, Arizona had already established a seven-point lead and continued to widen the gap until the Wildcats led the Forty-Niners by 20 with four minutes left. With a minute and a half left, Arizona was up by 27 points.
Freshman phenom Aaron Gordon continued to impress after becoming the first freshman to post a double-double in his debut game under head coach Sean Miller last week against Cal Poly.
Gordon, a 6-foot-9 forward, shot 5-for-7 from the field and compiled 11 points with a team-leading seven rebounds in 16 minutes played.
Sophomore guard Gabe York immediately made an impact when he entered the game and sunk the first two shots he attempted, both coming from behind the arch. York led the team with 12 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists and a steal. He shot 4-for-5 from the field with all five of his shots coming from three-point range. The West Covina, Calif. native has been on fire so far this season and has compiled 24 points over in the first game and a half of the season.
Sophomore center Kaleb Tarczewski added six rebounds after not acquiring any last game.
Junior shooting guard Nick Johnson shot 3-for-7 from the field and contributed with eight points, two rebounds, and a block.
Junior guard T.J. McConnell continued to work like a pass-first point guard and collected four assists and a rebound in his first six minutes of play. McConnell finished the half with seven assists and two rebounds, helping the Wildcats orchestrate an offense that had field goal and three-point percentages of over 58.
In the first half, Long Beach State shot 5-for-35 from the field, 1-for-14 from beyond the arc.
— Follow Evan Rosenfeld @EvanRosenfeld17