Career-High from Azuolas Tubelis propels Arizona Basketball

TUCSON, AZ – Fueled by a career-high 40 points from Azuolas Tubelis, No. 5 Arizona Basketball (20-3, 9-3) raced past the Oregon Ducks (13-10, 7-5) by a 91-76 final. 

Entering Thursday night’s action on a four-game winning streak, No. 5 Arizona Basketball was back in action, hoping to continue their winning ways against a talented but inconsistent Oregon team.

Returning to the friendly confines of the McKale Center, the Wildcats welcomed the Ducks to town, looking for revenge, as well as closing the gap on UCLA’s lead in the Pac-12 standings.

Shooting a combined 53.4 percent from the field, including 10-23 (43.5) from three, the Wildcats overcame an early, five-point deficit to come away with the dominant, 91-76 win.

Overall, it was a combined effort in this one as the Wildcats had four players finish in double-figures; however, it was Arizona’s big man Azuolas Tubelis who further strengthened his case for the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year.

Logging 36 minutes, Tubelis scored a career-high 40 points on 16-21 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds, dishing three assists, and registering three steals.

Despite Oregon hanging tough in the second half, No. 5 Arizona Basketball used a strong first-half surge to come away with the 15-point win.

Looking to continue its winning ways after its successful road trip to the Pacific Northwest last week, Arizona returned with yet another significant challenge on its hands!

And from the tip, the Wildcats felt the fight from the Ducks. Jumping out to an early 5-0 lead, luckily, Arizona responded in a big way, answering with a 12-2 run to lead 12-7 after the first few minutes of play.

Arizona would continue to find its offensive rhythm in the first half as the Wildcats pulled ahead by as many as 16 before entering the half with a 50-35 lead. Tubelis would dominate the first half, scoring 27 of the teams’ 50 points.

Looking to continue its dominant offensive play in the second half, the Wildcats’ defense would need to continue to play well if they were going to come away with the win.

Opening the second half by pushing their lead to as many as 20 to play with 12:45 to play, unfortunately, Oregon wouldn’t go quietly, slowly chipping away at the Wildcats’ lead.

Despite the Ducks continuing to respond, Arizona would shut down every Oregon response, eventually closing out the second half by outscoring the Ducks 8-3 over the final 2:43 to come away with the dominant, 91-76 win over Oregon at home!

With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 20-3 (9-3) on the season and will resume basketball action on Saturday when they take on Oregon State to close out their home stand! Tip-off against the Beavers on Saturday is set for 7:30 PM MST.

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