Cats coast in the Bahamas 136-66
Reporter: Jason Barr, Sports Director
Nassau, Bahamas (Arizona Athletics) The University of Arizona men's basketball team placed eight players in double figures Saturday in racing to a 136-66 exhibition win over the Real Deal Shockers at Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium.
The Wildcats, playing its first of two games on its current tour of the Bahamas, connected on 14-of-22 (.640) shots in the first quarter and jumped out to a 38-17 lead in the opening period.
After missing its first three shots, a Brandon Ashley field goal at the 9:42 mark started a run that saw Arizona make 11 consecutive field goals and hold a 26-9 advantage. Kevin Parrom and Nick Johnson were key early on, combining for 17 first-quarter points on 6-of-10 shooting.
The contest wasn't close from that point, as the Wildcats dominated in every statistical category. In addition to UA's 136 points and 64 percent shooting (54-of-85), the Cats outrebounded Real Deal, 54-26, collected 32 assists and limited the opposition to just 30 percent shooting (23-of-76). UA also made 16-of-30 attempts (.530) from three-point range.
Parrom led all scorers with 21 points, while Mark Lyons added 18 points and Solomon Hill chipped in with 17. Johnson contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and a game-high six steals. Ashley added 14 points and 10 rebounds for good measure.
Arizona built a 68-28 lead at the half, closing the first half with a 15-2 run over the last 4:24 to all but end things. First-year players Lyons, Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski combined for 13 points in the run.
In addition to its shooting, Arizona moved the ball well, collecting those 32 assists on 54 made field goals. Of the 12 Wildcats to see action Saturday, 10 collected at least one assist.
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