The eighth-ranked ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats scored over 100 points for the third time this season as they beat Northern Colorado 101-76 in a game that was closer than the final score suggests.
Here’s a look at how the Wildcats pulled away in the high-scoring matchup:
21-4
The Wildcats led 80-72 with 8:22 left as the Bears continued to hang around. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ then went on a 21-4 run to close the game, holding Northern Colorado to zero field goals over the final 5:29.
Azuolas Tubelis and Benedict Mathurin combined for 10 of the Cats’ final 21 points.
94
Both teams shot over 55% from the field in the first half, combining for 94 points. It marked the highest-scoring first half in any ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ game this season. The Wildcats finished the half on an 8-0 run to go into the break with a 52-42 lead.
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33
Northern Colorado guard Daylen Kountz was a one-man wrecking crew against the Wildcats, scoring a game-high 33 points.
All but 10 of his points came in the first half as Kountz shot 9 of 11 from the field with two 3-pointers. He finished the game 12 of 19 with four 3s, four rebounds and 5-of-5 shooting from the foul line.
He’s the first opposing player to score 30 or more at McKale against the Cats since Feb. 2020, when Oregon’s Payton Pritchard had 38.
10
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Kerr Kriisa has hit a 3-pointer in all 10 of the team’s games this year and at least two 3s in four straight. He had two against Northern Colorado bringing his season total to 27, most on the team.
6
With 16 points Wednesday night, forward Tubelis has scored in double figures 10 straight games to open the year. He’s the only UA player to score at 10 or more points in every game this season. He also recorded a career-high eight assists.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has won four of its five meetings with Northern Colorado. UA’s last matchup against the Bears before Wednesday came in 2016 at McKale, and the Wildcats won 71-55.
Tommy Lloyd is the second coach in UA program history to win his first 10 games, joining “Pop†McKale who won his first 21 games (1914).
Photos: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ holds off Northern Colorado after close first half
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10), Northern Colorado Bears guard Matt Johnson II (2) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) eye the loose ball in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

Northern Colorado Bears center Theo Hughes (32) is defended by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) eyes the basket as he's challenged by Northern Colorado Bears forward Bryce Kennedy (21) in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

Northern Colorado Bears guard Bodie Hume (13) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) try to grab the rebound in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) flashes his fingers towards the ZonaZoo crowd in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

Northern Colorado Bears forward Jamel Melvin (10), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4), Northern Colorado Bears forward Bryce Kennedy (21) and other players watch the ball in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) jumps for a three-pointer in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

Jack Murphy, assistant head coach, yells out to his players in the first half during a game against Nothern Colorado at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Justin Kier (5) eyes the basket as Northern Colorado Bears guard Dru Kuxhausen (0) falls backwards in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) hooks the ball towards the basket in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) defends Northern Colorado Bears guard Bodie Hume (13) in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) blocks the shot of Northern Colorado Bears guard Daylen Kountz (1) in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd fires up his players in the second half during a game against Northern Colorado at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 101-76.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) gestures towards the referee in the second half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 101-76.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) eyes the backet over Northern Colorado Bears forward Kur Jongkuch (15) in the second half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 101-76.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

Northern Colorado Bears guard Matt Johnson II (2) makes a drive past ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) in the second half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 101-76.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) riles up the crowd in the second half during a game against Nothern Colorado at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 101-76.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) gets pumped as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ pulls away from Northern Colorado in the second half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 101-76.
Northern Colorado at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Men's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Justin Kier (5) makes a drive past Northern Colorado Bears guard Bodie Hume (13) in the second half during a game at Mckale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on December 15, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 101-76.