The University of Arizona men’s basketball team (20-0, 7-0 in Big 12) remain undefeated against West Virginia University (13-7, 4-3 in Big 12) on Saturday, Jan. 24 at noon MST in McKale Center.
The Wildcats controlled the game from the jump, taking advantage of scoring opportunities and playing physical against the Mountaineers. This game marked their thirteenth time in 20 games that has been decided by a margin of 20 points.
Key players
Brayden Burries was an essential part of this victory, collecting 22 points, four rebounds and shot 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Burries shot 7-for-12 from the field and was a strong asset setting up his teammates as he tallied seven assists.
Though Anthony Dell’Orso only played for 17 minutes, he was on fire collecting 12 points which was the third highest of the team. He made 2-of-5 3-pointers and managed to get two rebounds.
Tobe Awaka recorded the team-high rebounds with 14, followed by Motiejus Krivas with 12. Awaka was physical and used his strength to get under the rim to secure rebounds. This led to some fouls called on Awaka; sometimes it seems like he doesn’t know his own strength.
Chance Moore led the Mountaineers with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists. He was followed by Honor Huff who collected 10 points and shot 2-for-9 from the 3-point line. Treysen Eaglestaff tied with Huff recording 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting.
First half
Within the first 90 seconds, Ivan Kharchenkov and Burries put 5 points on the board with a layup and a 3-pointer. The Wildcats came in hot, attacking the rim and taking early shot opportunities. Burries attempted a layup but was met with physicality from Harlan Obioha.
Arizona built an early 11-4 lead on West Virginia after Jaden Bradley went to the line shooting 2-for-2. After a missed 3-pointer from Dwayne Aristode, Awaka was able to get the rebound. Though the Wildcats were not able to put the ball in, the Mountaineers demonstrated their physicality when both Koa Peat and Awaka were knocked to the floor.
McKale Center exploded in thunderous applause after a 3-pointer from Dell’Orso brought the Wildcats up 20-8. Bradley swept in and forced a turnover from Moore that resulted in a Burries’ missed 3-pointer and was rebounded by Amir Jenkins.
The Wildcats extended their lead to 16 points over the Mountaineers with about 4 minutes remaining in the first half. After a media timeout, Bradley went to the line and shot 1-for-2 but it was rebounded by Awaka. Awaka attempted a layup but wasn’t able to score and West Virginia took possession.
Peat put a 3-pointer straight into the basket, growing their lead to 40-23. Following Peat’s 3-pointer, there was a personal foul on Eaglestaff taking Peat to the stripe shooting 1-of-2 on the fast break.
With just 10 seconds remaining, Aristode stole the ball and made the layup right as the buzzer went off, ending the first half. The Wildcats held a 43-23 lead going into halftime.
Second half
Peat opened the second half shooting 1-of-2 after a shooting foul on Brenen Lorient. Kharchenkov was essential under the net collecting rebounds for the Wildcats.
Arizona stretched the score to 53-27 just 4 minutes into the second half which led West Virginia to take a timeout. Awaka obtained an offensive foul that turned over possession to the Mountaineers.
Eaglestaff had an open shot and placed a 3-pointer straight in for West Virginia. Aristode was sent to the line after a foul called on Moore shooting 1-of-2. Burries collected the rebound from a missed layup, passing it to Peat who turned it into a jumper.
Midway through the second half, Krivas checked back in for Peat. Krivas hit a 3-pointer assisted by Burries bringing the Wildcats up 63-39. He then made a dunk set up by Kharchenkov, followed by Krivas dishing to Awaka for the layup.
Bradley missed a free throw that was rebounded by Jenkins. Awaka was able to rebound Jenkins’ missed shot leading to a layup on the fast break from Burries. After another Awaka defensive rebound, Peat was able to finish with a layup assisted by Bradley.
Fouls on Aristode and Burries sent Lorient to the line where he shot 2-of-2. After three attempts to put the ball in the hoop, Peat was able to finish the layup.
With 3 and a half minutes remaining in the game, Dell’Orso forced a turnover then got the layup on the fast break. It was immediately followed by a rebound from Awaka after a missed jumper by Obioha which ended in a 3-pointer from Dell’Orso.
The Wildcats powered through the final minutes, capitalizing on nearly every scoring opportunity. Arizona remains undefeated 20-0 taking another victory 88-53 against West Virginia University.
Looking forward
Arizona hits the road to take on No. 13 BYU on Monday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. MST. This game will be streamed on ESPN for Arizona fans to watch while the Wildcats are on the road.
This will be the beginning of a series of tough games as they head to Tempe the following Saturday, Jan. 31 to face ASU for the second time this season.
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