ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Wildcats cruise to 3-0 start after blowout win over North Dakota State

Nov 16, 2021, 9:25 PM

University of Arizona Wildcat guard #1 Bennedict Mathurin during the second half of a basketball ga...

University of Arizona Wildcat guard #1 Bennedict Mathurin during the second half of a basketball game between the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks and the University of Arizona Wildcats on November 9, 2021 at the McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Christian Koloko had 16 points to lead five in double figures as Arizona routed North Dakota State 97-45 on Tuesday night.

Arizona (3-0) has won two in a row by more than 50 points for the first time since the 1920-21 season. The last time the Wildcats had two 50-point wins in a season was 1997-98.

Azuolas Tubelis and Bennedict Mathurin scored 15 points apiece for Arizona. Kerr Kriisa added 12 points and Oumar Ballo had 10. Mathurin and Kriisa combined for seven 3-pointers.

The Wildcats shot 51.5% from the floor and made nearly half of their 3-point attempts (13 of 27).

The Wildcats scored the first 11 points and built a 21-point halftime lead. They opened the second half with a 31-8 run and had a 44-point advantage with about 12 minutes remaining.

Jarius Cook scored 10 points for North Dakota State (2-2).

Arizona will play its next two games at Las Vegas in the Roman Main Event. The Bison return home for their next two.

Arizona Basketball

Caleb Love...

Kevin Zimmerman

Caleb Love left off early entry list, 3 other Arizona Wildcats eligible for 2024 NBA Draft

Pelle Larsson, K.J. Lewis and Jaden Bradley were the Arizona players on the early entry list for the 2024 NBA Draft. Caleb Love was not.

1 day ago

Tobe Awaka #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers...

Arizona Sports

Tennessee big man transfer Tobe Awaka lands with Arizona

The Arizona Wildcats are adding former Tennessee big man Tobe Awaka through the transfer portal, he told On3's Joe Tipton.

2 days ago

Dennis Evans...

Arizona Sports

Grand Canyon basketball lands Louisville transfer, former 4-star recruit Dennis Evans

Dennis Evans, a 7-foot transfer from Louisville, announced his commitment to Grand Canyon men's basketball on social media Friday.

5 days ago

Trey Townsend of Oakland...

Arizona Sports

Trey Townsend transfers to Arizona after NCAA Tournament run with Oakland

Trey Townsend will transfer from Oakland to Arizona. His commitment fills a hole at power forward for the Wildcats.

7 days ago

Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis dribbles up the court...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis testing NBA Draft waters, will maintain college eligibility

Wildcats guard KJ Lewis announced Tuesday that he is going through the NBA Draft process while still maintaining his college eligibility.

8 days ago

Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats lines up a shot during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2024...

Damon Allred

Arizona’s Pelle Larsson declares for 2024 NBA Draft, forgoes remaining eligibility

Arizona Wildcats wing Pelle Larsson declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and will forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.

14 days ago

Wildcats cruise to 3-0 start after blowout win over North Dakota State