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

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.

1 day ago

Arizona center Oumar Ballo...

Arizona Sports

Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo commits to Indiana

Arizona Wildcats transfer Oumar Ballo committed on Tuesday to play for the Indiana Hoosiers, reports ESPN's Pete Thamel.

2 days ago

Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love, the Pac-12 Player of the Year...

Arizona Sports

Arizona’s Caleb Love enters 2024 NBA Draft with potential to return

Guard Caleb Love will enter the 2024 NBA Draft after one year with the Arizona Wildcats but will keep the option to return to college open.

2 days ago

Kylan Boswell #4 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts as he walks off the court after losing to the Clems...

David Veenstra

Former Arizona basketball guard Kylan Boswell commits to Illinois

Former Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell has committed to Illinois, he announced across his social media accounts on Sunday.

4 days ago

Arizona point guard Kylan Boswell vs. Long Beach State in the NCAA Tournament...

Arizona Sports

Kylan Boswell hitting transfer portal after up-and-down year at Arizona

Arizona Wildcats sophomore guard Kylan Boswell is entering the transfer portal, reports On3's Jamie Shaw and 247 Sports' Jason Scheer.

9 days ago

South Carolina celebrates winning an NCAA Championship...

Associated Press

NCAA women’s title between South Carolina, Iowa was most-watched hoops game in 5 years

South Carolina's victory over Iowa in the women's NCAA championship game had a preliminary audience average of 18.7 million on ABC and ESPN.

10 days ago

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