Arizona Basketball beats down the Beavers in Corvallis

CORVALLIS, OR – Arizona Basketball (7-0, 1-0) dominates last years’ Pac-12 Conference Tournament champion Oregon State Beavers (1-8, 0-2). 

Led behind the play of sophomore wing Benn Mathurin, the Canadian native finished his day with another stellar performance in Corvallis as he scored 29 points on 11-18 shooting (last year he scored 31) as Arizona Basketball came away with the dominant, 90-65 win.

Despite the final score, it wasn’t all pretty as the Wildcats looked a little rusty from the start. Perhaps still feeling the effects of a longer break, their game against Washington on Thursday being canceled seemed to have hurt at least a little bit as Arizona would fall behind 13-7.

Plagued by poor shooting and sloppy play in the first five-and-a-half minutes of play, luckily would shake off the rust quickly, responding with a 16-0 run to take a 23-13 lead with 8:54 to go in the first half.

However, a competitive first half by the Beavers would keep things close in this one as the Wildcats entered the half with an eight-point lead.

Needing a stronger effort in the second half, Arizona Basketball would be all business as they routed Oregon State to remain unbeaten.

Keeping things close in the first half, Arizona did what they do best in the second half, and that is using their size and athleticism to take over as they ultimately wore down Oregon State.

Opening the half on a 10-5 run, Arizona would continue their dominant play as Mathurin would take over the game, scoring 11 of his 29 points.

Forcing turnovers and playing in transition, the Wildcats would expand their lead to as many as 28 in the second half before they eventually cruised to the 25-point win.

Where do the Wildcats go from here?

With the victory, Arizona improves to 7-0 (1-0) on the year and will return to action on Wednesday when they take on a highly skilled and talented Wyoming squad who is currently 8-0. Tip-off against the Cowboys is set for 8:00 P.M. MST.