After a 12-day layoff, Arizona men’s basketball opened Pac-12 Conference play by cruising to a 73-49 win over ASU. The No. 8 Wildcats (13-1) bounced back from their loss at UNLV to beat the Sun Devils (8-6).

In the second half, the UA shot 40.9 percent but held ASU to 27.3 percent, including a stretch late where the Sun Devils didn’t score for 4:43.

Forward Stanley Johnson was benched to start the game but scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson started in his stead, and guard Elliott Pitts started for Gabe York.

Forward Brandon Ashley scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and grabbed three rebounds in the first half. Point guard T.J. McConnell scored seven points and dished out three assists.

The UA shot 51 percent from the field, 50 percent from deep and 84 percent from the charity stripe. ASU’s shooting percentage from the field was 33 percent, 29 percent from beyond the arc and 84 percent from the free-throw line.

Game nuggets:

- UA leads the all-time series against ASU 146-81 and 85-49 in Tucson

- The Sun Devils committed 22 turnovers, which led to 21 Wildcat points

- After getting out-rebounded at UNLV, the UA won the rebounding margin 33-23

- The UA bench, after scoring six points at both UTEP and UNLV, scored 28 points, while ASU’s scored 17

- There were zero ties and three lead changes

Check in with us later tonight for a full recap and analysis column of tonight’s action.