Tubelis scores 40 in No. 5 Arizona’s 91-76 rout of Oregon

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Azuolas Tubelis took his household and mates from Lithuania to breakfast within the morning, then to see the desert surrounding Tucson.

After a 40-minute nap, the Arizona massive man arrived at McKale Middle and began roasting Geese.

Not a foul method to exhibit for his mom and sister.

Tubelis scored 40 factors, most by an Arizona participant in 28 years, and the fifth-ranked Wildcats avenged an earlier loss to Oregon with a 91-76 rout Thursday evening.

”She did not see me like mainly the primary two years, so it was fairly cool,” Tubelis stated of his mom. ”Her mates are supporting right here, too. All of them flew right here on Monday. It is actually cool. I feel she’s happy with me.”

The Geese (13-10, 7-5 Pac-12) manhandled Arizona 87-68 at dwelling final month in Arizona’s largest loss beneath coach Tommy Lloyd.

The Wildcats (20-3, 10-3) returned the favor with a dominant efficiency, using an early 21-2 run to a 15-point halftime lead. Arizona saved its foot on the fuel from there, capturing 54% and doling out 23 assists on 31 discipline targets.

Tubelis was the catalyst.

Restricted to 14 factors within the first assembly, the 6-foot-11 Lithuanian overpowered and outran the Geese in transition, hitting 16 of 21 pictures. It was essentially the most factors by an Arizona participant since Damon Stoudamire had 40 towards Washington State in 1995.

Tubelis did not rating within the closing 7 1/2 minutes and fell one level shy of the McKale Middle report set in 1976 by Al Fleming, who was honored posthumously at halftime.

”What he did at the moment, I do not even know the best way to put it into phrases,” Arizona level guard Kerr Kriisa stated. ”I’ve by no means witnessed something like this.”

Oregon received the primary assembly by capturing 53% from the ground and outmuscling the Wildcats within the paint.

This time, Arizona grounded the Geese early with stifling protection and crisp offense, utilizing a 21-2 run to construct an early 14-point lead.

Oregon tried to get again in it, however Tubelis appeared to have a solution every time.

With N’Faly Dante on the bench in foul hassle, the athletic massive man bulled his manner by Oregon’s lankier frontcourt gamers for a trio of three-point performs.

Tubelis had 27 factors on 10-of-14 capturing within the first half, placing Arizona up 50-35 on a breakaway dunk with 27 seconds left that despatched roars echoing off the McKale Middle ceiling.

”We did not take away strengths,” Oregon coach Dana Altman stated. ”We let him get to that left hand, proper shoulder time and time once more, and he will rating. He is gifted that manner.”

Oregon once more tried to make a run beginning the second half, however Tubelis turned again the Geese as soon as extra. He hit a jumper, scored on a reverse layup and beat Oregon’s massive males down the ground for a dunk. Kriisa hit two 3-pointers and Cedric Henderson Jr. added one other to place Arizona up 69-51.

Will Richardson had 20 factors to steer the Geese, who rallied late to tug inside 10 within the closing minutes.

”We gave up a number of simple baskets and Tubelis actually bought going, went to his strengths, and we could not gradual him down,” Altman stated.

BIG PICTURE

Oregon: The Geese’ dominance of Arizona got here to a crashing finish. Oregon had received eight of 9 within the collection, together with three of 4 in Tucson, however took an early physique blow and had no reply for Tubelis all evening.

Arizona: The loss at Oregon on Jan. 14 appeared to spark the Wildcats. Arizona has received six straight since and is again to taking part in the kind of basketball that led to early-season Last 4 projections.

KRIISA’S IMPACT

Kriisa struggled to get pictures to fall early within the recreation earlier than hitting 4 3-pointers within the second half.

He ran Arizona’s offense successfully all evening, making good selections and holding it flowing towards Oregon’s strain protection.

”He did a extremely good job controlling the sport and in managing their defenses,” Lloyd stated. ”Quite a lot of good selections.”

Kriisa completed with 13 factors on 4-of-9 capturing from 3 with seven assists and two turnovers.

UP NEXT

Oregon performs at Arizona State on Saturday.

Arizona hosts Oregon State on Saturday.

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