Breaking: Unbeaten No.1 Arizona Wildcats Dominate Abilene Christian, 96-62, in 5th Straight 20-Point Win; Tommy Lloyd’s Squad Looks Ahead to Highly Anticipated Showdown with San Diego State
WILDcats ROAR TO TENTH STRAIGHT WIN, DOMINATE ABILENE CHRISTIAN
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Wildcats continued their meteoric rise, rolling past Abilene Christian, 96-62, at McKale Center on Tuesday night. With the victory, the No.1 Wildcats improved to 10-0 on the season, extending their winning streak to five consecutive games by 20 or more points.
DOMINANT PERFORMANCE LEADS TO EARLY LEAD
The Wildcats set the tone early, shooting an efficient 66.7 percent from the field and building a 20-point halftime advantage. Arizona never trailed, leading for 39:47 and stretching their lead to as many as 34 points in the second half.
BURRIES LEADS THE CHARGE, WILDCATS DOMINATE PAINT
Freshman Brayden Burries led the way for Arizona, scoring a game-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Motiejus Krivas added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Ivan Kharchenkov chipped in 11 points and five rebounds.
The Wildcats also dominated the paint, holding a 44-22 edge, and pushed the tempo for 26 fast-break points. Jaden Bradley contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while Koa Peat added 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
WILDCATS PREPARE FOR NEXT CHALLENGE AGAINST SAN DIEGO STATE
Arizona will look to continue their dominant streak when they face San Diego State at 8:30 pm MST on Saturday, December 20th, in Phoenix, Arizona. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
PRO TIPS: WILDCATS’ STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
1. Efficient Shooting: The Wildcats’ ability to maintain high shooting percentages has been a significant factor in their success. They currently rank 10th in the nation in field goal percentage (.523) and 15th in 3-point field goal percentage (.396).
2. Paint Dominance: Arizona’s aggressive play in the paint has been a key asset, leading the nation in 2-point field goals made (225) and ranking 2nd in 2-point field goal percentage (.641).
3. Ball Movement: The Wildcats’ unselfish play has resulted in a ranking of 3rd in the nation in assists per game (20.3). This shared responsibility has contributed to the team’s overall success.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats are the first Arizona team to start a season 10-0 since the 2014-15 squad, which also went on to win the Pac-12 regular season title.
FAQs
Q: How does Arizona stack up against the nation’s best?
A: The Wildcats currently rank 11th in KenPom’s ratings, with top-25 wins against SDSU and UConn. They’re on pace to receive a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Q: Who leads the Wildcats in scoring?
A: Junior guards Jordan Horston and Courtney Rongstad are tied for the team lead with 17.4 points per game.
NEXT UP FOR THE WILDCATS
The Arizona Wildcats will face the San Diego State Aztecs in Phoenix, AZ, on Saturday, December 20th, at 8:30 pm MST. The game will be aired live on ESPN2.
CALL TO ACTION
Leave a comment and share your thoughts on the Wildcats’ impressive start to the season! Who do you think will be the next big challenge for Arizona? Join the discussion on our forums and let us know your take on the Wildcats’ future prospects!
*Stats courtesy of sports-reference.com and kenpom.com