Arizona overcomes sluggish start to roll by Bethune-Cookman

The Arizona Wildcats got off to a sloppy start before stepping up their defensive intensity to ease by Bethune-Cookman, 107-71, at McKale Center on Monday.

The No. 1 Wildcats have won seven straight games by at least 20 points and are now 12-0 for the first time since 2014-15, their best start under fifth-year coach Tommy Lloyd.

The seven straight victories by at least 20 points is just one shy of their program-record eight straight in 1928-29.

Five-star freshman Brayden Burries continued his fine form and led the way with 20 points on 6 of 10 shooting. He made 3 of 4 from 3-point range and 5 of 6 at the foul line.

Burries scored just 39 points over the first five games, but he’s since scored 129 over his past seven games (18.4 points per game).

Arizona had five early turnovers and maintained just a four-point lead with five minutes left in the first half before a 12-0 stretch saw Arizona start to pull away.

It was Arizona’s defense from that point forward which helped the Wildcats to a commanding lead.

The home team held Bethune-Cookman scoreless for nearly three-and-a-half minutes during that span before it ended up outscoring Bethune-Cookman 19-9 over the final five minutes of the first half. Arizona continued to stretch its lead by opening the second half 8 of 9 from the field.

Arizona shot just 3 of 11 from distance in the first half before finishing 9 of 17.

Motiejus Krivas was the first Arizona player into double-figures with 10 points, and his ability to get to the foul line early helped Arizona build its 14-point lead at the half. He finished with 14 points and went 10 of 11 at the line.

Seven Arizona players scored in double figures, as Ivan Kharchenkov added 14 points, Dwayne Aristode and Tobe Awaka each had 12 points and Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley both finished with 11.

It was the first time Arizona had at least seven players reach double figures since the 2023 season opener vs. Morgan State when it had eight.

Arizona’s Mabil Mawut ejected for interference

Arizona freshman Mabil Mawut was ejected without even seeing the floor. The 6-foot-11 center was called for a bench interference foul before later arguing with official Tony Padilla.

As Bethune-Cookman’s Tyler Andrews went up to shoot a 3 with 2:23 left in the first half, Mawut got in Andrews’ face and yelled at him as he was shooting.

If that wasn’t crazy enough, Jakobi Heady on Bethune-Cookman tried to sneak to the free-throw line and shoot free throws for his younger brother on the team, Quentin Heady. But the older brother missed one, and the officials caught it, sending the younger brother to the line who made both attempts.

And on top of that, the building’s fire alarm went off in the game’s final minute, but both teams decided to play through the noise for the remaining 49 seconds.

After four games in the past nine days, Arizona will have a week off before hosting South Dakota State at McKale Center next Monday.

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