The Arizona Wildcats routed NAU 96-53 Monday night behind a historic night from Jemarl Baker Jr.
Hereβs some key figures that show how the Wildcats improved to 3-0.
15-0
After getting off to sluggish starts in the first two games of the season, the Wildcats did not waste time getting on the board against the Lumberjacks. Arizona started the night on a 15-0 run in the first five minutes of the game.
At the midway point of the first half the Wildcats had opened up a comfortable 22-point lead.
In the second half, the Wildcats led by 26 or more points the whole way.
33 The headliner of the night was, of course, the career high 33 points from Baker β the most any Arizona player has scored in a game in the Sean Miller era. Baker also had the best start from 3-point range of any Arizona player in program history, starting 7 of 7.
The previous high for points in a game under Miller was held by four UA players at 32 points, most recently by Deandre Ayton against USC in the 2018 Pac-12 Tournament championship game.
Miller likened Bakerβs performance to Gabe Yorkβs program-tying nine 3-pointers against Stanford in 2016.
βOur team needs him,β Miller said.
Arizona Wildcats forward Jordan Brown (21) shoots the ball over Northern Arizona Lumberjacks guard Isaiah Lewis (14) during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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17 Overshadowed by Bakerβs hot hand, forward Jordan Brown poured in a season-high 17 points and added 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, already eclipsing the lone one he had in his freshman season at Nevada.
More impressive, Brown shot a perfect 6 of 6 from the field and knocked down all five free-throw attempts.
βI donβt even think I gave him credit after the game,β Miller joked. βHe came ready to play.β
Arizona guard Jemarl Baker scored a career-high 33 points on 7 of 9 shooting from 3-point range in the Wildcats' 96-53 win over Northern Arizona on Monday. Jordan Brown also recorded a double-double 17 points and 11 rebounds in the blowout win.
By Justin Spears
Arizona Daily Star
66.7% The Wildcats struggled to shoot the ball in their first two games of the season versus Grambling State (38.3%) and Eastern Washington (41.5%). Against NAU, Arizona had no trouble putting the ball in the basket as the team shot 66.7% from the field (32 of 48) and hit 13 of 21 3-pointers (61.9%).
If there was one gripe about their shooting, it would be at the line as the UA made just 19 of 31 attempts (61.3%).
35.6 In their last six head-to-head battles, the Arizona Wildcatsβ average margin of victory against NAU is 35.6 points.
Photos: Arizona Wildcats improve to 3-0 with win over NAU
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 8, 2020
Arizona Wildcats forward Jordan Brown (21) shoots the ball over Northern Arizona Lumberjacks guard Isaiah Lewis (14) during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Jan 6, 2021
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) and Arizona Wildcats forward Ira Lee (11) smile as they leave the court after the Arizona Wildcats won 96-53 over the NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 8, 2020
Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) blocks Northern Arizona Lumberjacks forward Ajang Aguek's (2) shot during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) and Northern Arizona Lumberjacks forward Ajang Aguek (2) reach for a rebound during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) breaks out of a double team while looking to pass the ball during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Apr 12, 2021
Arizona Wildcats guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) points towards the bench in celebration after draining a three-pointer during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard James Akinjo (13) watches as his three-pointer goes in the basket during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) fights for a rebound during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) reacts to be fouled during his shot in the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard James Akinjo (13) walks out of the tunnel during halftime of the Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard James Akinjo (13) shots a jump shot during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 22, 2020
Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller claps after the offense completed a play during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats forward Jordan Brown (21) looks for a shot at the basket over Northern Arizona Lumberjacks forward Carson Towt (33) during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard Terrell Brown (31) takes a breather during a free throw din the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Aug 13, 2021
Arizona Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) celebrates a teammates three-pointer during the closing seconds of the Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks guard Carter Mahaney (4) attempts to block Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko's (35) dunk during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
May 20, 2021
Arizona Wildcats forward Jordan Mains (50) shoots an open three-pointer during the closing seconds of the Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
May 16, 2021
Arizona Wildcats forward Tibet Gorener (5) sticks out his tongue after drilling three-pointer during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks forward Carson Towt (33) calls timeout after fighting for a loose ball during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
A reflection of Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller shows on the court as Miller fixes his face covering during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks guard Cameron Shelton (20) reacts to being fouled by Arizona Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 14, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (3) shoots a jump shot during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Feb 12, 2021
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) looses control over the ball while being fouled by Northern Arizona Lumberjacks guard Luke Avdalovic (21) during the second half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Sweat drips down Arizona Wildcats forward Ira Lee (11) as Lee shoots a free-throw during the first half of Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020. Arizona won 96-53 against NAU.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) walks towards the free throw line to practice free-throws before Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Arizona Wildcats forward Tibet Gorener (5) warms-up before Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks
Updated
Dec 8, 2020
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) warms up before Arizona Wildcats vs NAU Lumberjacks men's basketball game at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 7, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star