Quick Hitters
Arizona puts up over 100 for 2nd straight game
TUCSON — The Arizona Wildcats, with the help of a preseason All-American and an impact newcomer, are putting up a lot of points.
Third-ranked Arizona scored over 100 points for the second straight contest, the first time the Wildcats have done so in the first two games of a season since 2002.
Allonzo Trier scored 30 points, freshman big man Deandre Ayton added 19 and 13 rebounds and Arizona overpowered MarylandBaltimore County for a 103-78 win on Sunday.
“It’s set up for him 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 Trier’s 3-pointer, one of five for the junior guard, for an 86-68 lead, then freshman Alex Barcello drilled back-to-back 3s to put the game away.
The Wildcats made 61 percent of their shots for the game and 15 of 28 3s. Ayton, who had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the opener against Northern Arizona on Friday, 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 7-1 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 the lead to 58-55 early in the second half on Grant’s baseline 3, prompting an Arizona time out. But the Wildcats built their lead back into double digits thanks to a four-minute scoring drought for the Retrievers.
The Wildcats made 21 of 30 first half shots (70 percent). Trier, coming off a career high 32-point night on Friday, scored 15 in the first half.