The No. 1 University of Arizona men’s basketball team (12-0) dominated with a 36-point win, (107-71) over Bethune-Cookman University (9-3) on Monday, Dec. 22 in McKale Center. The Wildcats remain undefeated this season collecting their twelfth win. Arizona remained No. 1 in this week’s AP Top 25 after their win against San Diego State University on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Arizona demonstrated great hustle, resilience and teamwork throughout the night. Though the Wildcats had a slow start allowing BCU to settle in defensively, they pushed through and pulled away. Arizona converted Bethune-Cookman’s 22 turnovers into 36 points. They built a 14 point lead by halftime.
Seven Wildcats scored in double figures led by freshman Brayden Burries who totaled 20 points. Behind Burries were freshman forward Ivan Kharchenkov and junior center Motiejus Krivas who both collected 14 points. Krivas went 10-for-11 from the free-throw line. Senior point guard Jaden Bradley was essential to the game, adding 11 points, five rebounds and four steals.
First half
Arizona freshman star Koa Peat dunked after a turnover for Bethune-Cookman 90 seconds into the first half. Krivas went 1-for-1 from the charity stripe with the first free throw of the game. Bethune Cookman’s Quentin Heady tied up the game 10-10 after tipping the ball into the net.
Tobe Awaka picked up right where he left off, scoring off the glass followed by a free throw. This brought the Wildcats up 15-10. Right after, Awaka collected his first personal foul immediately followed by a personal foul for Ariel Bland.
Heady stole the ball from Anthony Dell’Orso running down the court for a slam dunk for Bethune Cookman. Dailon Minor shot Bethune-Cookman’s first 3-pointer of the game closing their gap to Arizona 21-19. Dwayne Aristode had a clear shot for a 3-pointer with an assist from Bradley.
After a foul was called on Burries, Bradley intercepted the pass from Bethune-Cookman giving the Wildcats possession. Kharchenkov stole the ball, but wasn’t able to make the layup. Luckily, Bradley got Arizona a second chance getting the rebound. The Wildcats showcased great teamwork and hustle as Bradley passed the ball to Peat who gave back to Bradley to score a 3-pointer.
With about three minutes left in the first half, Burries shot 2-for-2 on the fast break bringing Arizona to an 11 point advantage over BCU. Dell’Orso made a layup that led to Bethune Cookman’s first timeout of the game with 2:56 remaining. Immediately after the timeout, Kharchenkov answered with a slam dunk.
A bench technical foul was called on Arizona for stepping too far from the bench and taunting, leading to the ejection of the player and Jakobi Heady shooting two free throws. Arizona did not let this affect them, the Wildcats became more aggressive at the tail end of the first half. Dell’Orso made a layup followed by a failed 3-pointer that was rebounded by Awaka who shot a second chance free throw shooting 2-for-2. Arizona led the first half 49-35.
Second half
About 15 seconds into the second half, Krivas drew a foul and converted at the charity stripe. Following this, Bradley stole the ball from Tyler Andrews and made the layup. Krivas was called for unnecessary contact after unintentionally elbowing Heady in the jaw.
BCU senior Andrews shot a 3-pointer shortening their deficit 57-44. Kharchenkov bypassed BCU’s defense to put in the layup for Arizona. Another official review ensued after Krivas’s offensive foul leading to the substitution of Awaka.
Burries passed the ball to Awaka who dumped the ball in the basket. This was immediately followed by a driving layup from Burries officially extending the Wildcats lead to over 20 points. Arizona was on fire as Peat came in with a strong dunk straight into the net.
Dell’Orso continued to prove that he is more than just a 3-point shooter with a driving layup. Kharchenkov capitalized on a bad pass turnover for BCU and made a 25-foot 3-pointer jump for the Wildcats with an assist from Bradley. The Wildcats hit triple digits and almost a 40-point lead after a 3-pointer from Aristode.
Arizona won the game 107-71 and remain undefeated this season.
Looking forward
The No. 1 University of Arizona men’s basketball team looks forward to taking on South Dakota State University next Monday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. MST in McKale Center. This game will be streaming on ESPN+ for Wildcat fans to watch at home during the holidays.
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