More
No. 3 Arizona takes care of business, beats California 96-71

No. 3 Arizona takes care of business, beats California 96-71

Arizona (16-1, 16-0 Pac-12) has been firing on all cylinders, with the team winning its last five contests in a decisive fashion. Sophomore Bennedict Mathurin has the makings of a top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, he is an explosive athlete that is capable as a slasher and finisher. He's averaging 17.1 points per game. Following Mathurin in points per game are Azuolas Tubelis and Christian Koloko with 15.1 and 12.8 points respectively. 

The Golden Bears (9-10, 2-6 Pac-12) entered this contest on a very different note. Having lost four in a row, they have struggled to put enough points on the board to keep games competitive. Jordan Shepherd and Andre Kelly have been the bright spots for Cal this season, both averaging 14.0 points per game.

Shepherd led all scorers in this one with 21 points on 7 of 19 from the field. Meanwhile for the Wildcats, it was the junior center, Koloko, that led the way. He posted 19 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. 

Right from the jump, Arizona took control and ran out to an early 24-10 lead. Mathurin hit some big three-pointers to get rolling, ending the game with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The Wildcats had scoring runs of 17-3 and 15-3 in the first half alone, as they secured a 48-27 lead at the break. On the other side, Cal head coach Mark Fox was ejected in the first half after getting called for two technical fouls. 

The second half didn't look much different, as the Golden Bears weren’t able to make enough headway to even pull within striking distance. Cal’s bright spots today were Shepherd, Kelly who posted 8 points and 8 rebounds, as well as Grant Anticevich — he scored 7 points while securing 7 rebounds. 

Arizona’s Kerr Kriisa shot well, finishing with 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting from deep. Gonzaga transfer Oumar Ballo scored 14 points on 4 of 5 shooting from the field and 6 for 7 accuracy at the foul line. 

Arizona has two games against No. 9 UCLA and one against No. 16 USC on the docket. If they’re able to take care of business, they should secure a No. 1 seed come March Madness.

UPCOMING

Both teams will face No. 9 UCLA next week. Arizona visits on Tuesday, Cal on Thursday.

Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater & family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com. Order online now!

MORE:
NCAA News
Kids KN95 Masks
Stem Cell Therapy Mexico - Puerto Vallarta
Stem Cell Therapy Mexico - Puerto Vallarta
Latest Injuries
Goran Dragic
Illness
Dragic is questionable for Monday's (Jan. 23) game against Atlanta.
2023-01-23
Chimezie Metu
Knee
Metu is questionable for Monday's (Jan. 23) game against Memphis.
2023-01-23
Immanuel Quickley
Knee
Quickley did not play in Sunday's (Jan. 22) game against Toronto.
2023-01-23
Michael Porter Jr.
Personal
Porter Jr. did not play in Sunday's (Jan. 22) game against Oklahoma City.
2023-01-23
Deandre Ayton
Illness
Ayton did not play in Sunday's (Jan. 22) game against Memphis.
2023-01-23
OG Anunoby
Ankle
Anunoby did not play in Sunday's (Jan. 22) game against New York.
2023-01-23
Kristaps Porzingis
Ankle
The Wizards announced that Porzingis is week-to-week with a sprained left ankle.
2023-01-23
Landry Shamet
Foot
Shamet did not play in Sunday's (Jan. 22) game against Memphis.
2023-01-23
Nikola Jokic
Hamstring
Jokic did not play in Sunday's (Jan. 22) game against Oklahoma City.
2023-01-23
Dalano Banton
Hip
Banton did not play in Sunday's (Jan. 22) game against New York.
2023-01-23
KN95 Masks
Lingerie
Costumes
Dresses
Sexy Lingerie
Subscribe to our newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
Follow Us
Download Our App!
Stay up-to-date on all things NBA
Download the BasketballNews.com App on the App Store
Download the BasketballNews.com App on the Google Play Store
Copyright © BasketballNews.com 2020. All Rights Reserved.
NBA News & Rumors