The Arizona Wildcats disposed of Texas Rio Grande Valley in their second non-conference game of the season in a 104-50 victory Friday night from McKale.
These numbers tell the story of how the Wildcats improved to 2-0:
8
Arizona wasted no time getting it going offensively, scoring the first eight points of the game. By the six-minute mark, the Wildcats led 18-2 with forward Azuolas Tubelis contributing 11 of those points.
18 Itβs early in the year, but Christian Koloko is stuffing the stat sheet. After recording a career-high five blocks against NAU, the junior big man matched that total Friday night while scoring a career-high 18 points. Koloko also led the Cats with 11 rebounds.
5
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Five Wildcats were in double figures as Tubelis, Koloko, Bennedict Mathurin, Oumar Ballo and Justin Kier combined for 76 of the teamβs 104 points.
Tubelis paced the team with 20 points, his most since Feb. 13 of last season. Mathurin and Kier each had 13 while Ballo added 12.
11 Mathurin shook off a slow start to his season, scoring 11 points in the second half on 3 of 4 from the field. He hit two 3-pointers.
104 Arizonaβs 104 points are the most it has scored in a game since November 2019 against Long Beach State. In that game, the Wildcats also scored 104.
Photos: Wildcats rout UTRGV in McKale Center
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
University of Arizona's Pelle Larsson makes his way through the defense during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
U of A's Christian Koloko makes a layup against UTRGV on Nov. 12, 2021 at McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Nov 15, 2021
Justin Kier makes a layup during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
Benedict Mathurin drives during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
University of Arizona's Kerr Kriisa attempts to block a shot during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center..
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
Arizona's Kerr Kriisa talks to a ref during the Wildcats nonconference win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
Arizona's defense executes a successful block during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
Arizona's bench celebrates a 3-pointer vs. UTRGV. The Wildcats won, 104-50.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Nov 13, 2021
UA Tommy Lloyd claps on the sideline during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Nov 13, 2021
Benedict Mathurin dunks during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Nov 13, 2021
Justin Kier prepares to inbound the ball during the first half of Friday's 104-50 win over UTRGV.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
Kerr Kriisa celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Nov 13, 2021
Benedict Mathurin elevates to the basket during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Dec 4, 2021
Kim Aiken Jr. stretches before Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Nov 13, 2021
The UA men's basketball team warms up before Friday's game against UTRGV.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
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Nov 13, 2021
The Arizona men's basketball team warms up before Friday's game against UTRGV.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
UTRGV at Arizona men's basketball
Updated
Nov 13, 2021
Oumar BalloΒ dunks during Friday's 104-50 win over UTRGV.
Ana Beltran, Arizona Daily Star
Contact sports producer Alec White at 573-4161 or awhite1@tucson.com .
On Twitter: @alecwhite_UA