Akron unable to tame Wildcats; falls in NCAA opener
MRO STAFF
SEATTLE, WA -- The Arizona Wildcats (23-12) showed why they are a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, putting on a dominating display Friday while knocking off No. 13 seed Akron (28-7) 93-65 at Climate Pledge Arena.
Tavari and Nate Johnson led the Zips with 13 points apiece, while Shammah Scott added 11.
Nate Johnson, who recently . . .
SEATTLE, WA -- The Arizona Wildcats (23-12) showed why they are a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, putting on a dominating display Friday while knocking off No. 13 seed Akron (28-7) 93-65 at Climate Pledge Arena.
Tavari and Nate Johnson led the Zips with 13 points apiece, while Shammah Scott added 11.
Nate Johnson, who recently . . .
. . . was named MAC Player of the Year, got 11 of his points at the foul line. The stripe was one of the few areas where UA had a statistical advantage. Akron made 16 of 20 charity tosses. The Wildcats went 3 of 10 at the striple.
Arizona, however, connected on 56.5 percent 36 of 69) from the field and 48 percent (12 of 25) outside the arc. Akron made 21 of 63 (33.3%) attempts overall and 7 of 25 (28.0%) on treys.
The Wildcats were particularly productive inside, outscoring the Zips 48-20 and out-rebounding them 53-22.
Arizona jumped in front with a 9-0 lead, but UA fought back to tie the contest at 11-all following Scott's basket at 13:51.
The Wildcats moved back in front, but UA was still within three (18-16) at 9:54. Arizona then built up a 10-point (41-31) halftime advantage.
A 16-6 Wildcat run to start the second half put UA up by 20 and it cruised in for the win.
Arizona, however, connected on 56.5 percent 36 of 69) from the field and 48 percent (12 of 25) outside the arc. Akron made 21 of 63 (33.3%) attempts overall and 7 of 25 (28.0%) on treys.
The Wildcats were particularly productive inside, outscoring the Zips 48-20 and out-rebounding them 53-22.
Arizona jumped in front with a 9-0 lead, but UA fought back to tie the contest at 11-all following Scott's basket at 13:51.
The Wildcats moved back in front, but UA was still within three (18-16) at 9:54. Arizona then built up a 10-point (41-31) halftime advantage.
A 16-6 Wildcat run to start the second half put UA up by 20 and it cruised in for the win.
NOTES:
• Joining the Johnson in double figures for UA was Scott (11 points).
• UA's Jaden Bradley led all scorers with 19 points. He was followed by Troy Townsend (16), Carter Bryant (12), Caleb Love (10) and KJ Lewis (10).
• The Wildcats committed 16 turnovers to seven by UA. Nonetheless, Arizona has a 13-10 edge in points off turnovers.
• The Akron bench contributed 21 points.
• Joining the Johnson in double figures for UA was Scott (11 points).
• UA's Jaden Bradley led all scorers with 19 points. He was followed by Troy Townsend (16), Carter Bryant (12), Caleb Love (10) and KJ Lewis (10).
• The Wildcats committed 16 turnovers to seven by UA. Nonetheless, Arizona has a 13-10 edge in points off turnovers.
• The Akron bench contributed 21 points.
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