Talent returns for Wildcats
Trier back to help No. 14 Arizona upset No. 3 UCLA
Boosted by the return of Allonzo Trier, No. 14 Arizona showed off a potent offense to go along with its swarming defense.
Trier led a late run in the first half and finished with 12 points in his first game of the season, helping the visiting Wildcats topple No. 3 UCLA, 96-85, Saturday.
Trier’s status was resolved Friday night after he tested negative for a performanceenhancing drug.
The sophomore from Seattle — who averaged nearly 15 points per game last season — had been practicing and traveling with the Wildcats, but the school had refused to say why he wasn’t playing.
Trier said this week that he had inadvertently taken a substance with a trace amount of PED in it. He said the NCAA wouldn’t allow him to play until his system was completely cleared of the drug. Trier wasn’t made available to the media afterward.
“I don’t think we win without him,” coach Sean Miller said. “It means a lot, especially for this team and his family.”
The Wildcats won their 12th in a row, putting up 21 more points than they average. Arizona (18-2, 7-0 Pac12) has the top-rated defense in the conference. Kobi Simmons scored 20 points and Lauri Markkanen added 18.
“We’ve had big goals all along,” Markkanen said. “This gives us an extra boost.”
So do the Bruins (19-2, 62), who hope to be playing for a national championship in April.
Other games
Villanova 78, Providence 68: Josh Hart scored 25 points No. 1 Villanova (19-1, 7-1 Big East) beat Providence (13-8, 3-5) at Wells Fargo Center.
Kansas 79, Texas 67: Devonte’ Graham scored 18 points for No. 2 Kansas (181, 7-0 Big 12) in a win against visiting Texas (7-12, 1-6).
Kentucky 85, South Carolina 69: Malik Monk scored 27 points, and No. 5 Kentucky (17-2, 7-0 SEC) beat No. 24 South Carolina (15-4, 5-1) to take over first place in the conference.
Gongaza 73, Portland 52: Nigel Williams-Goss scored 15 points to help No. 4 Gonzaga (19-0, 7-0 WCC) top visiting Portland (9-10, 7-5).
Baylor 62, TCU 53: Manu Lecomte scored 17 points as No. 6 Baylor (18-1, 6-1 Big
Marquette 102, Creighton 94: Katin Reinhardt scored 21 points and visiting Marquette (13-6, 3-3) upset No. 7 Creighton (18-2, 5-2).
North Carolina 90, Boston College 82: Justin Jackson scored 22 points for No. 9 North Carolina (18-3, 6-1 ACC) at Boston College (9-11, 2-5).
Florida State 73, Louisville 68: Dwayne Bacon scored 16 points to help No. 10 Florida State (18-2, 6-1 ACC) top visiting No. 12 Louisville (16-4, 4-3).
Oregon 69, Stanford 52: Chris Boucher had 16 points and No. 11 Oregon (18-2, 7-0 Pac-12) rolled to a win against visiting Stanford (119, 3-5).
Butler 70, DePaul 69: Kethan Savage scored 20 points for Butler (17-3, 6-2 Big East) in an overtime victory at DePaul (8-12, 1-6).
Notre Dame 84, Syracuse 66: V.J. Beachem scored 30 points to lead Notre Dame (17-3, 6-1 ACC) past visiting Syracuse (11-9, 3-4).
Virginia 62, Georgia Tech 49: Marial Shayok scored 19 points as No. 16 Virginia (153, 5-2 ACC) topped visiting Georgia Tech (11-8, 3-4).
Wisconsin 78, Minnesota 76: Ethan Happ scored a career-high 28 to lead Wisconsin (16-3, 5-1 Big Ten) past host Minnesota (15-5, 3-4).
Duke 70, Miami 58: No. 18 Duke (15-4, 3-3 ACC) held visiting Miami (12-6, 2-4) to 22 points in the second half in its victory.
Vanderbilt 68, Florida 66: Matthew Fisher-Davis scored 19 points for Vanderbilt (9-10, 3-4 SEC) at No. 19 Florida (14-5, 5-2).
Cincinnati 78, Tulane 61: Jacob Evans scored 15 points as visiting No. 20 Cincinnati (17-2, 7-0 ACC) upended Tulane (4-15, 1-6).