Arizona Dominates Auburn, Secures Fourth Win Against Ranked Opponents
PHOENIX - Arizona men’s basketball overpowered auburn 87-57 on Saturday, delivering a decisive victory and marking their fourth win against a ranked opponent this season.The Wildcats’ relentless pressure forced 15 Auburn turnovers, which where converted into 21 points.
Tahad Pettiford led Auburn with a career-high 30 points, shooting 10-of-19 from the field, while the rest of the Tigers‘ team combined for just 11 of 44 shooting.
Arizona established control early, leading 44-32 at halftime. The Wildcats extended their advantage immediately after the break, outscoring Auburn 18-2 and holding the Tigers scoreless from the field for over five minutes.
Pettiford briefly ignited a spark for auburn with nine consecutive points, including a four-point play, narrowing the deficit to 69-45 with 12:41 remaining. However, Arizona quickly reasserted its dominance.
The Wildcats showcased efficient shooting, making 11 of their first 12 shots in the second half. In contrast, Auburn struggled, starting 0-for-7 from the field and enduring a nearly six-minute field goal drought. A significant increase in fouls called in the second half – 25 combined fouls resulting in 32 foul shots compared to 29 field goals – impacted the game’s flow.
Arizona initially focused on scoring in the paint, building an early lead before Auburn briefly surged ahead 15-10. Arizona responded with a 12-0 run fueled by auburn turnovers.A subsequent 15-0 run extended Arizona’s lead to 39-21 with 3:43 left in the first half, ultimately building a 20-point advantage before auburn closed the half on an 8-0 run.
Arizona (4-0) will next face No. 12 Alabama in Birmingham next Saturday. the Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide during the 2023-24 season.
