The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats kicked off their conference play with a commanding victory over the Utah Utes, securing a 97-78 win at the John M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT, on Saturday. This win marks a significant milestone for the Wildcats, who now stand among just six teams remaining undefeated this season. They are also the only unbeaten team in the Big 12, alongside the No. 3-ranked Iowa State Cyclones.

Arizona’s offensive performance was nothing short of dominant, as five players finished with double-digit points by the end of the game. Senior forward Tobe Awaka led the way with a season-high 18 points, shooting 6-for-7 from the field and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds. Awaka continues to be a standout performer, leading the NCAA in rebounding percentage with an impressive 28.3% of rebounds secured.

Jaden Bradley, the team’s star point guard, matched Awaka’s scoring output with 18 points while contributing five assists and four rebounds. His leadership on the court was instrumental in Arizona’s success. Brayden Burries has also made a strong case for his place in Division I basketball, tallying 17 points and recording his first double-double of the season with 11 rebounds. This marks the ninth consecutive game where Burries has reached double figures in scoring.

Koa Peat added 17 points to the team’s total, showcasing his versatility with four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals in 23 minutes of play. He also hit a crucial three-pointer during the game. Ivan Kharchenkov contributed 13 points and three rebounds, further bolstering Arizona’s depth.

First Half

Arizona wasted no time in asserting its dominance, jumping out to a 24-8 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. The Wildcats’ ability to spread the ball around and capitalize on Utah’s missed opportunities was key to their early success. A 6-0 run extended their lead to 16 points.

Utah made a brief push to narrow the gap, cutting Arizona’s lead to nine points, 30-21, with 9 minutes left in the half. However, the Wildcats quickly regained control, ending the first half with a 58-39 advantage. Bradley led the charge in the first half with 12 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field in 14 minutes. Awaka was equally impressive, grabbing nine rebounds and adding 11 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting, including two three-pointers.

Second Half

Arizona carried its momentum into the second half, continuing to dominate despite Utah’s efforts to respond. A key 8-0 run extended Arizona’s lead to 70-46 with 14 minutes remaining. Peat scored four of those eight points, and the run concluded with a layup by Burries, assisted by Bradley following a turnover.

Utah responded with an 8-0 run of its own, bringing the score to 70-54 with 12 minutes left. However, Arizona quickly reasserted control, extending the lead to 81-62 with 8 minutes remaining. As the final minutes approached, Arizona maintained its lead, finishing the game with a 97-76 victory. Utah managed to close the gap slightly with a pair of free throws, but the damage had already been done.

Arizona will return to action on Wednesday when they host Kansas State at home in the McKale Center at 7 p.m. (MST). Fans can share their thoughts on the Wildcats’ impressive win over Utah by commenting on their Facebook page. For updates on all things Arizona Wildcats, follow @NateMartTSports on X.

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