Arizona's Dominance Overcomes Sluggish Start: 107-71 Win Against Bethune-Cookman
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Brayden Burries scored 20 points, Ivan Kharchenkov added 14, and the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats overcame a slow start to rout Bethune-Cookman 107-71 on Monday night. Despite remaining No. 1 in the AP Top 25, the Wildcats struggled offensively early on, allowing Bethune-Cookman to stay in the game until they stepped up their defense.
Arizona's careless ball handling and early offensive struggles allowed Bethune-Cookman to hang around until the Wildcats ratcheted up their defensive pressure in the first half. A big run in the first half gave Arizona a 14-point lead, and they shot 57% from the floor, matching their best start since 2014-15. The Wildcats dominated with 50 points in the paint, 20 more rebounds, and 36 points from turnovers, showcasing their all-around prowess.
Jaden Bradley, the Arizona point guard, contributed 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals, demonstrating his versatility. Arizona's success is remarkable, as they are one of six remaining undefeated teams in Division I and have seven straight wins by at least 20 points, their longest streak since 1929.
Jordan Johnson led Bethune-Cookman with 18 points, and the team showed promise by taking then-No. 20 Auburn to overtime in their season opener. Despite their efforts, Bethune-Cookman struggled with turnovers, leading to 24 Arizona points.
The Wildcats took control with a 14-2 run, extending their lead to 16 points and ultimately winning 49-35 at halftime. Bethune-Cookman's 12-of-24 shooting and five 3-pointers in the first half couldn't overcome their 14 turnovers, which resulted in 24 Arizona points.
Arizona's dominance continued in the second half, making eight of their first nine shots and stretching the lead to 71-49. The Wildcats' performance sets the stage for their upcoming games, with Bethune-Cookman facing Oklahoma State and Arizona hosting South Dakota State on Dec. 29.
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