Trier, Arizona set fast pace

Findlay Prep product again keys rout by No. 3 Wildcats

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona, with the help of a preseason All-american and an impact newcomer, is putting up a lot of points.

The third-ranked Wildcats scored more than 100 points for the second straight game, the first time the Wildcats have done so in the first two games of a season since 2002.

Findlay Prep product Allonzo Trier scored 30 points, freshman big man Deandre Ayton added 19 and 13 rebounds, and Arizona overpowered Maryland-baltimore County 103-78 on Sunday.

“It’s set up for (Trier) as long as he continues to play the game this way, where he’s taking good shots,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said. “No player that I’ve ever had and seen has worked harder on the game than Allonzo has.”

Arizona (2-0) pulled away with a 3-pointer by Trier, one of five for the junior guard, for an 86-68 lead, and then freshman Alex Barcello drilled back-toback 3s.

The Wildcats made 61 percent

of their shots and 15 of 28 3s. Ayton, who had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the opener Friday against Northern Arizona, made an impact at both ends with dunks and blocked shots.

“Coach loves his big men to run a lot, and I love running the floor,” the 7-foot-1-inch Ayton said. “It’s quick baskets.”

Guard Jairus Lyles scored 23

of his 31 points in the first half for the Retrievers (0-2). Jourdan Grant added 14.

Maryland-baltimore County cut its deficit to 58-55 early in the second half on Grant’s baseline 3, prompting an Arizona timeout. But the Wildcats built their lead back into double digits thanks to a four-minute scoring drought by the Retrievers.