Arizona Basketball: Wildcats rout Lumberjacks 90-59
No. 12 Arizona capitalized on a massive interior advantage to secure its second consecutive blowout victory.
By Abigail Brooks ·
Fans in Tucson witnessed a decisive shift in the competitive balance between the two Arizona teams as the Wildcats dismantled Northern Arizona 90-59 on Tuesday night. The outcome confirmed the disparity in physicality between the programs, with the visitors failing to generate offense in the final minutes of the opening frame. For the home crowd, the 31-point margin of victory served as a clear indicator of where the season stands for the Lumberjacks, who have lost all three of their games this year.
The season opened with a loss for Arizona to No. 9 UCLA, setting a challenging tone for the start of the campaign. Following that initial setback, the Wildcats have won their last two matchups by large margins. Tuesday's game marked the third consecutive contest in which forward RJ Godfrey sat on the bench, as he continues to wait for a ruling on his eligibility status. Despite his absence, the roster's depth allowed the team to maintain its offensive rhythm without adjustment.
Arizona controlled the game through its physical presence in the key. The Wildcats recorded a 52-20 advantage in the paint, a statistical gap that defined the contest. They shot 62% from the floor and distributed the ball effectively, recording 26 assists on 37 field goals. In contrast, Northern Arizona struggled from distance, going only 4 of 16 from beyond the three-point line. The Lumberjacks also went scoreless for the final 3 minutes and 21 seconds of the first half.
Ivan Kharchenkov led the Wildcats with 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Caleb Holt contributed 17 points, while Moteijus Krivas added 16 points and seven rebounds. On the opposing side, Chris Komin led Northern Arizona with 17 points, and Ryan Abelman scored 14. The Wildcats built a 24-point lead by the halftime break, finishing the first half 46-22. They extended that advantage in the second half with an 18-3 run, hitting five of their first eight shots to widen the gap.
Bryce James, the son of NBA star LeBron James, energized the home base with a block on a dunk attempt by Lucas Toukam. He followed the defensive play with a three-pointer that pushed the lead to 55-29. The momentum shift in that sequence underscored the Wildcats' ability to convert defensive stops into quick offensive transitions.
Both teams are scheduled to play on Friday. Northern Arizona will travel to No. 24 Kentucky for its next contest. The Wildcats will visit Auburn for their upcoming road game. These fixtures represent the next step in the season schedule for both programs as they look to adjust their rosters and strategies.
