TUCSON, Ariz. – Azuolas Tubelis dribbled the ball round a defender in transition, stored his stride on the opposite aspect and threw down a one-handed dunk.

A spectacular transfer for anybody. Almost implausible for a 6-foot-11, 245-pound energy ahead.

Tubelis scored 26 factors, together with two on his dribble-around dunk, and No. 5 Arizona closed out its nonconference schedule by overpowering Morgan State 93-68 on Dec. 22.

“I don’t know if he can recreate that once more — I’ve seen some issues that haven’t labored,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd mentioned. “However Zu is absolutely approaching. He’s so constant and scores in several methods.”

The Wildcats (12-1) have been coming off a pair of checks in wins over No. 8 Tennessee and Montana State, NCAA Match groups a yr in the past. Arizona had one other combat on its fingers early in opposition to the scrappy Bears (4-8), one of many nation’s greatest groups at creating defensive chaos.

Morgan State’s aggressive protection brought on some early issues and the Bears obtained scorching from the 3-point line to maintain it shut.

Then the Wildcats was bullies.

Arizona scored 28 extra factors within the paint and used a 17-2 run spanning halftime to offer Lloyd a tie for the second-best begin (45-5) after 50 video games in Division I historical past. Solely Wisconsin’s Doc Meanwell had a greater begin at 49-1 within the early 1900s.

Tubelis completed 9 for 10 from the ground and had the spotlight of the evening, dribbling the ball round Morgan State’s Isaiah Burke in transition to arrange a one-handed jam. Oumar Ballo made all eight of his pictures and scored 21 factors, finishing Arizona’s dominance inside.

They helped Arizona shoot 58% and have 25 assists on 34 area objectives to stretch the nation’s third-longest lively house successful streak to 27 video games.

Malik Miller stored Morgan State in it early with 3-point taking pictures and completed with 23 factors. Burke added 22, however the Bears have been blown out regardless of taking pictures 12 of 23 from the 3-point arc.

“They did job in 3s right this moment, however I feel it was good for us to battle again, not get too fearful, simply stay calm and stick with our ideas and our recreation plan,” mentioned Arizona’s Courtney Ramey, who had 13 factors and 7 assists.

Arizona needed to get bodily to beat Tennessee and made 10 3-pointers to beat Montana State.

Morgan State introduced a special drawback: fingers.

The Bears lead the nation in forcing turnovers and are second in steals. Morgan State had some success disrupting Arizona early (eight first-half turnovers), however its sharpshooting backcourt brought on the Wildcats probably the most issues.

Miller had 11 factors and three 3s within the first 5 1/2 minutes, then Burke took over from there, scoring 9 factors — all on 3-pointers. They mixed for 23 of Morgan State’s 32 first-half factors, hitting 6 of 8 from the 3-point arc.

“They hit a couple of pictures and made us uncomfortable,” Lloyd mentioned. “These video games aren’t going to be only a 40-minute fast-break frenzy or dunk contest.”

The place the Bears have been no match was inside.

Tubelis and Ballo wore Morgan State out inside, combining for 22 factors on 8-of-9 taking pictures. Additionally they repeatedly beat the Bears down the ground for baskets in transition, serving to Arizona shut on a 7-0 run to guide 41-32 at halftime.

Arizona ended it in a flurry.

Tubelis scored inside, then hit a 3-pointer. Ramey hit a 3-pointer and Ballo threw down and thunderous dunk.

The ten-2 run put Arizona up 51-34, properly on its technique to one other house win.

BIG PICTURE

Morgan State didn’t again down in one of many nation’s hardest street environments, however obtained worn down by the largest Wildcats.

Arizona averted a letdown to shut out its nonconference schedule, manhandling the Bears to place Lloyd within the report books.

UP NEXT

Morgan State: performs at Hartford on Dec. 30.

Arizona: performs at rival Arizona State on Dec. 31.

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