Record-Breaking performance paces No. 17 Arizona Basketball

TUCSON, AZ – Making a statement in their first game for 2022-23, No. 17 Arizona Basketball (1-0) cruised to the 117-75 win over Nicholls.  

It has been a long time since the Arizona Basketball team last took to the hardwood, but finally, after much anticipation, the Wildcats were back in action on Monday evening

Returning to McKale Center to face Nicholls in their home opener, the Wildcats kicked off year two under head coach Tommy Lloyd.

Fueled by a collective team effort in this one, four different Wildcats finished in double-figures as Azuolas Tubelis led the way with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists on 10-12 shooting.

However, Arizona’s Oumar Ballo and Pelle Larsson also had respectable days, finishing with 18 points and 16 points respectively, while Adam Bal added with 14 off the bench!

Jumping out to a commanding lead, No. 17 Arizona Basketball imposed their will as the Wildcats cruised to the 42-point win.

Starting the game on a 30-4 run, the Wildcats were dominant as they used lockdown defense and transition offense to eventually build to a 46-20 lead with 4:53 to play in the first half.

Unfortunately for Arizona, sloppy play by the Cats to close out the half would allow the Colonels to claw back into this one a bit, cutting Arizona’s lead to 59-37 at the half.

Using a quick start to begin the second half, the Colonels would cut Arizona’s lead down to 20, but luckily for us, the Wildcats were able to lock in and tighten things up.

Continuing to wear down Nicholls, Arizona would eventually pull ahead by as many as 39 after a converted and-one from Tubelis made it 93-54 in favor of the Cats with 8:38 to play.

Bringing in the deep bench around the 3:41 mark, the Wildcats would continue to pour it on in the final moments of the game as they kept the momentum going.

Outscoring Nicholls 58-38 in the second half, Arizona was able to come away with the dominant, 117-75 win. Arizona shot a school-record 72 percent in their 42-point win!

With the win, the Wildcats start the season off on the right foot, and No. 17 Arizona will resume basketball action on Friday when they welcome Southern to McKale Center. Tip-off for Friday is slated at 7:00 PM MST.

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