No. 2 Arizona controls paint, Motiejus Krivas leads all scorers in win vs. Norfolk State

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Motiejus Krivas scored 20 points, Koa Peat added 16 and No. 2 Arizona overpowered Norfolk State 98-61 on Saturday in McKale Center.

The Wildcats (7-0) are one of the tallest teams in Division I and used it to their advantage against the Spartans (4-5).

Coming off a 30-point win over Denver on Monday, Arizona had a 58-24 advantage in the paint, shot 56% from the floor and shot 32 of 46 on free throws. The Wildcats also had 17 more rebounds than the opposition and 20 assists on 32 made baskets.

Krivas shot 7 of 8 from the floor, doing most of his damage by halftime with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Anthony Dell’Orso had 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 21 minutes off the bench.

Anthony McComb III led Norfolk State with 19 points.

The Spartans scored a school Division I-record 136 points in a blowout over Virginia-Lynchburg in their last game and managed to keep up with Arizona early.

But as the first half wore on, the Wildcats wore them down, stretching the lead with a flurry of short-range baskets and three-point plays.

The Wildcats scored four three-point plays over the final 6:50 and had 30 of their 47 first-half points in the paint to lead by 15.

Arizona missed all five of its 3-point attempts, but went to the free throw line 26 times in the first half, making 17.

Wildcats freshman Ivan Kharchenkov, who scored 20 points against Denver, rolled his ankle on a drive in the first half and did not return.

Arizona used a flurry of turnovers to stretch the lead to 65-38 in the first six minutes of the second half.

What’s next for Krivas, Arizona

The Wildcats host No. 21 Auburn (6-2) on Saturday at 8 p.m. in Tucson. Watch the game on ESPN.

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