The University of Arizona men’s basketball team won 97-68 over the No. 20 Auburn University on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. in McKale Center. This is Arizona’s fourth victory against a ranked team. The Wildcats look to gain the No. 1 spot on the AP Poll rankings released Monday morning, as Arizona improves to 8-0 on the season.
Five Wildcats finished the night in double figures, led by freshman forward Koa Peat with 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Freshman forward Ivan Kharchenkov led the game in steals and assists, collecting eight and three, respectively. Additionally, Kharchenkov recorded 12 points.
Senior guard Jaden Bradley and freshman forward Brayden Burries had 16 points apiece. Arizona held Auburn to shoot just 33.3% from the field while the Wildcats shot 61.2%. Arizona also beat Auburn in the paint, dominating inside with 60 points, holding the Tigers to just 24.
First half
Arizona won the tip-off, as Kharchenkov grabbed possession where Peat scored a layup, getting the Wildcats on the board. Auburn stayed relentless, not afraid of backing into Arizona’s defense and matching its shots. Peat found an opportunity to dunk the ball on a fast break, extending Arizona’s advantage 8-4 only 4 minutes into the game.
Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall hit a 3-pointer for the Tigers, followed by two more successful plays, as they found a 9-0 scoring run. Bradley soon ended the run, drilling in a shot from beyond the perimeter.
Auburn lost the ball, resulting in a dominating layup made by senior guard Anthony Dell’Orso. This shot tied the game at 15, sending the crowd in McKale Center on their feet, exclaiming in excitement. Arizona found itself on a 10-0 scoring run after Tobe Awaka made a layup, followed by a 3-pointer made by Dwayne Aristode, putting the Wildcats ahead 20-15 with 11:52 left in the first half.
Out of a timeout, Peat attempted a shot but was blocked at the rim by Auburn sophomore Elyjah Freeman. However, Arizona stayed in the paint as Awaka scored a layup following the defensive play.
Kharchenkov extended the Wildcats’ lead to 26-21, scoring a pullup jumper in the paint with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half. Directly out of a timeout, Kharchenkov sunk a 3-pointer, boosting Arizona’s lead.
The Tigers came up with no answers as Arizona went on a 13-0 scoring run, forcing Auburn to talk it over. The Wildcats put even more pressure on Auburn, going on a 18-3 scoring run. The Tigers’ only shot came from Tahaad Pettiford scoring beyond the perimeter for the Tigers.
Auburn found itself coming back, going on a 8-0 scoring run to close out the first half. Arizona built a 12-point lead heading into the break, leading 44-32.
Bradley led the first half with 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting alongside three rebounds and two assists. Arizona’s second unit produced 11 points compared to Auburn’s lone bench point.
Second half
Arizona came out disruptive in the second half, scoring 5 straight shots. Auburn continued to miss its clean looks, coming up with empty possessions as Burries secured a layup and a foul, putting the Wildcats ahead by 21 points.
Off an Auburn turnover, Kharchenkov secured a long-range 3-pointer, putting Arizona ahead 4 minutes into the second half 60-34.
Dell’Orso drilled another 3-pointer, with Arizona finding itself leading by 28 points with 13 minutes remaining. The Tigers quieted down the crowd after Arizona fouled Pettiford on a 3-point attempt, where he was successful in completing the 4-point play.
Arizona advanced the ball with clean passing before Aristode set up in the paint and sank a turnaround jumper. Despite being doubled by the Tigers, Burries found a lane and converted with a dunk.
At this point, Arizona maintained a comfortable 73-47 lead. The Tigers went cold for almost 5 minutes while Arizona kept its foot on the gas. Dell’Orso scored a long-range jumper to keep the Wildcats ahead by 28 points with less than 7 minutes remaining.
Pettiford hit a 3-point field goal that shortened the deficit to 23 points, but it was clear Arizona had complete control over the lead. Sidi Gueye came into the game and immediately scored a hookshot-jumper. Arizona protected its advantage, finishing the game on a 10-4 run to send Auburn home.
Looking ahead
Arizona heads on the road to face the University of Alabama on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama. The game will also be streamed on ESPN.
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