Arizona rallies in second half to beat Utah Valley

TUCSON — Freshman guard Brandon Williams had his first career doubledouble and Brandon Randolph scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half when Arizona extended its nonconference home winning streak to 52 games with an 80-69 victory over Utah Valley at McKale Center on Thursday.

Williams had 15 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and five assists and Dylan Smith had 10 of his 13 points in the second half for the Wildcats, who trailed by 12 points at halftime but pulled away by shooting 61 percent in the second half.

Randolph made all of his four 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to spark the comeback after the Wolverines built a 41-29 halftime lead. The Wildcats were 8 of 14 from 3-point range in the second half.

Jake Toolson had 20 points and eight rebounds, brother Conner Toolson had 13 points and TJ Washington scored 11 for the Wolverines, Arizona: After losing all who were five starters, the Wildcats the Wildcats’ have played pretty much to 36th expectations, falling to Top straight nonconference 10 teams Gonzaga and Auburn but recording a quality victim in the road win at UConn last team’s only other meeting Sunday. A winning record in December, 2014. in the Pac-12 seems eminently

Arizona has not lost at reachable. home since San Diego State Southern Utah: The took a 61-57 victory on Nov. Arizona game was the latest 23, 2011. in the Wolverines’ aggressive

Justin Coleman added 15 nonconference points for Arizona, which schedule that included had a 36-26 rebounding advantage. early losses to BYU, Saint Mary’s and Utah State. The

Coleman and Williams competition should serve made 3-pointers as Arizona them well in the Western took an 18-11 lead five minutes Athletic Conference, where into the game before they are picked to finish in the Wolverines went on a the first division of a conference 9-0 run that grew to 21-4 for traditionally dominated a 32-22 lead. by New Mexico State.

Washington had two 3-pointers and Jake Toolson had a 3-pointer and two free throws in that run, when Arizona made only one field goal in a 9-minute, 55-second span. Utah Valley took its biggest lead, 41-29, at halftime. Arizona shot 38.5 percent from the field in the first half.

BIG PICTURE UP NEXT

Arizona: The schedule stiffens shortly— the Wildcats play at Alabama on Sunday before returning home to host Baylor on Dec. 15.

Southern Utah: The Wolverines will conclude a two-game trip down I-15 with a game against Northern Arizona on Saturday.