Wildcats stay red hot to beat Cincinnati in Maui
Nov 22, 2022, 12:30 AM | Updated: 12:31 am
Azuolas Tubelis scored 30 points as he paced the efficient No. 14 Arizona Wildcats past the Cincinnati Bearcats, 101-93, in the Maui Invitational on Monday.
Tubelis went 12-of-18 from the floor and added 11 rebounds as Arizona finished shooting 62% as a team.
He has scored 90 points on 74% shooting through the first four games of the year for Arizona, all wins. Tubelis is the first player to score that many points at that high of a field goal percentage since Oklahoma Sooners forward Blake Griffin scored 104 total on 74.5% shooting in 2008-09, according to STATS.
The Wildcats hit 79% of their shots in the second half, besting the 63% from the Bearcats to create more separation from a 40-30 halftime advantage.
Cincinnati was led by Landers Nolley II, who scored 33 points on 12-of-18 accuracy.
Tubelis got help from center Oumar Ballo, who added 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Arizona guard Courtney Ramey, a transfer who was suspended for three games for taking part in an unsanctioned event in the offseason, made his debut and scored 17. Point guard Kerr Kriisa added 11 points and seven assists, while the only scorer off the bench was Cedric Henderson, who dropped 14 in 24 minutes.
The Wildcats advance to face No. 17 San Diego State (4-0) on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.
No. 10 Creighton (5-0) plays No. 9 Arkansas (4-0) in the other semifinal of the tournament.