HIGHLIGHTS: No. 2 Arizona 98, Norfolk State 61
TUCSON — Arizona’s 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas tied a career-high with 20 points and added nine rebounds to lead the No. 2 Wildcats to a 98-61 victory Saturday over Norfolk State at McKale Center.
The Wildcats (7-0) shot 56.1% from the field, including Krivas’ 7-of-8 performance.
Koa Peat and Anthony Dell’Orso each had 16 points (POSTGAME INTERVIEW), and Brayden Burries finished with 15, while Tobe Awaka had 13 points and eight rebounds for Arizona.
Arizona freshman Ivan Kharchenkov played nine minutes in the first half before suffering an ankle injury that prevented him from returning.
Norfolk State’s lone player in double-figure scoring was Anthony McComb III, who finished with 19 points.
The Spartans (4-5) started a stretch of nine straight games on the road or at a neutral-site location with Saturday’s game.
Arizona had 20 assists that contributed to its 32 made field goals.
The Wildcats’ 44-27 rebounding advantage translated to a 58-24 edge in points in the paint.
Arizona also outscored Norfolk State 32-2 at the free-throw line.
The Wildcats went 32 of 46 on their free throws and the Spartans were 2 of 9.
Arizona Postgame Download: Tommy Lloyd, Koa Peat & Motiejus Krivas
Norfolk State led 26-25 with 6:54 left in the first half following a jump shot by Adrean Newton.
Arizona followed with a 10-2 run that included Awaka and Burries converting 3-point plays.
The Wildcats closed the half on a 12-2 run to take a 47-32 lead.
Krivas reached a season-high of 15 points in the first half and tallied seven rebounds.
Arizona connected on 17 of 26 free-throw attempts in the first half, its most attempts in a half since the 1996-97 season, according to the school.
In the first nine minutes of the second half, Arizona outscored Norfolk State 32-8 to pull away to a 79-40 lead.
Norfolk State made 42.2% of its shots, including 5 of 16 from 3-point range, while committing 14 turnovers. Arizona scored 19 points off of those turnovers.
The Wildcats’ defensive effort included 12 steals and five blocked shots.
Meridian Wealth Management Basketball Postgame Show
–Field Level Media
