Nnaji scores 21, grabs 11 boards as Arizona beats Stanford
AP
Feb 16, 2020
Stanford Cardinal, Calif. (AP) Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller kept talking about needing to find different ways to win games. The Wildcats found a way in Saturday’s 69-60 victory over Stanford.
Freshman Zeke Nnaji scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Arizona (18-7, 8-4 Pac-12) won its fifth in six games to move into a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings.
“You have to be able to overcome a poor shooting night, foul trouble, injuries, illness,” Miller said. “The definition of a really good season is that there's a lot of those moments in it, but you still find a way.”
The Wildcats had three players with four fouls, suffered through their third-worst shooting night of the season and still managed a victory by converting their free throws (26 of 31) and outrebounding the Cardinal 39-25.
Josh Green, who finished with 15 points for Arizona, was 3 of 6 from the field and made all eight of his free throws. Nnaji was 9 of 12 from the foul line.
“We all had foul trouble but we have guys who can come in and play very well,” Green said. “Jemarl (Baker) came in and did a great job. Having somebody who can come in at such a high level is great.”
Dylan Smith added 11 points for Arizona, which swept its fourth consecutive trip through the Bay Area.
“A road sweep in the Pac-12 is coveted,” Miller said. “Every group of guys that does it, you realize how hard it is.”
Bryce Wills scored a career-high 25 for the Cardinal (16-9, 5-7), who have lost four straight and seven of eight.
“It’s bittersweet for sure,” Wills said. “It’s unacceptable for us to get swept at home.”
Oscar da Silva, who sat out Thursday’s game with a head injury, added 15 points in limited action due to foul trouble. Tyrell Terry, who left the game with an injury and did not return, was limited to a season-low three points, his second game below 10 points this season.
“Our margin for error is razor thin,” Stanford coach Jerod Haase said. “Oscar not playing and Ty not there at the end makes us thin quickly. Bryce gave us a huge spark.”
The Wildcats never trailed, though it was close until the closing minutes. With da Silva playing about half the game, Arizona grabbed 13 offensive rebounds to Stanford’s three.
Arizona took a 10-point lead with 2:08 left in the first half and led 30-23 at halftime. Spencer Jones hit a 3-pointer and Wills added a basket in the first 65 seconds of the second half to pull the Cardinal within two but they would get no closer.
BIG PICTURE
Arizona: The Wildcats have owned Stanford over the past decade, winning their 20th straight against the Cardinal, the longest active streak between two teams in the Pac-12. Stanford’s last victory in the series was a home win 11 years ago (January 4, 2009). … Nnaji recorded his conference-leading 12th double-double, which also ties him for second on Arizona’s all-time single-season list for freshmen.
Stanford: The Cardinal opened the season 11-1 at home and have since lost three of their past four, with the lone win over nationally-ranked Oregon. Stanford was once 4-0 and alone in first place in the conference and is now in a seventh-place tie. … Tyrell Terry played with fellow Minnesota native Zeke Nnaji at the AAU level.
UP NEXT
Arizona: Hosts Oregon State on Thursday.
Stanford: Plays at Washington on Thursday.
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1st Half
ARIZ
Wildcats
30
STAN
Cardinal
23
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Arizona
19:44
+2
Dylan Smith made jump shot
2-0
19:23
Oscar da Silva missed jump shot
19:21
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
19:07
Zeke Nnaji missed layup, blocked by Oscar da Silva
19:07
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
19:07
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup
4-0
18:51
+2
Oscar da Silva made layup, assist by Tyrell Terry
4-2
18:41
Offensive foul on Stone Gettings
18:41
Turnover on Stone Gettings
18:23
Bryce Wills missed layup
18:21
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
18:15
+3
Josh Green made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nico Mannion
7-2
17:53
Offensive foul on Oscar da Silva
17:53
Turnover on Oscar da Silva
17:39
Traveling violation turnover on Zeke Nnaji
17:28
Spencer Jones missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:26
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
17:17
Josh Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:13
Offensive rebound by Arizona
17:09
Nico Mannion missed jump shot
17:07
Defensive rebound by Oscar da Silva
16:42
Spencer Jones missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:40
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
16:30
Offensive foul on Dylan Smith
16:30
Turnover on Dylan Smith
16:20
+2
Bryce Wills made layup, assist by Daejon Davis
7-4
16:04
Personal foul on Oscar da Silva
15:55
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:54
Offensive rebound by Arizona
15:54
Personal foul on Lukas Kisunas
15:54
Commercial timeout called
15:41
Traveling violation turnover on Ira Lee
15:24
Bad pass turnover on Spencer Jones
15:07
Lost ball turnover on Dylan Smith, stolen by Spencer Jones
15:00
+2
Daejon Davis made dunk, assist by Spencer Jones
7-6
14:41
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:39
Offensive rebound by Arizona
14:34
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:32
Offensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
14:16
+2
Jemarl Baker Jr. made layup
9-6
13:48
+3
Tyrell Terry made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Lukas Kisunas
9-9
13:35
Josh Green missed layup, blocked by Spencer Jones
13:34
Offensive rebound by Arizona
13:14
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed jump shot
13:12
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
13:10
Shooting foul on Spencer Jones
13:10
+1
Josh Green made 1st of 2 free throws
10-9
13:10
+1
Josh Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
11-9
12:46
Lost ball turnover on Daejon Davis, stolen by Zeke Nnaji
12:42
+2
Zeke Nnaji made dunk
13-9
12:17
Personal foul on Max Hazzard
12:12
+2
Jaiden Delaire made dunk, assist by Isaac White
13-11
12:02
30-second timeout called
12:02
Commercial timeout called
11:53
+2
Ira Lee made dunk, assist by Max Hazzard
15-11
11:22
Shooting foul on Josh Green
11:22
James Keefe missed 1st of 2 free throws
11:22
+1
James Keefe made 2nd of 2 free throws
15-12
11:06
Ira Lee missed jump shot
11:04
Defensive rebound by Bryce Wills
10:54
Personal foul on Josh Green
10:44
+2
Jaiden Delaire made layup, assist by James Keefe
15-14
10:27
Shooting foul on Bryce Wills
10:26
+1
Max Hazzard made 1st of 3 free throws
16-14
10:26
+1
Max Hazzard made 2nd of 3 free throws
17-14
10:26
+1
Max Hazzard made 3rd of 3 free throws
18-14
10:07
Isaac White missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:05
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
9:57
Nico Mannion missed layup, blocked by James Keefe
9:55
Defensive rebound by Jaiden Delaire
9:27
Jaiden Delaire missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:26
Defensive rebound by Arizona
9:26
Personal foul on James Keefe
9:11
Max Hazzard missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:09
Defensive rebound by Bryce Wills
8:49
Tyrell Terry missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:47
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
8:35
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:32
Jumpball received by Stanford
8:32
Defensive rebound by Spencer Jones
8:12
Tyrell Terry missed jump shot
8:10
Defensive rebound by Ira Lee
8:10
Stone Gettings missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:09
Defensive rebound by Daejon Davis
8:09
Personal foul on Dylan Smith
8:00
Personal foul on Ira Lee
8:00
Commercial timeout called
8:00
+1
Jaiden Delaire made 1st of 2 free throws
18-15
8:00
Jaiden Delaire missed 2nd of 2 free throws
8:00
Defensive rebound by Stone Gettings
7:34
+2
Nico Mannion made layup, assist by Dylan Smith
20-15
7:03
Spencer Jones missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:01
Defensive rebound by Ira Lee
6:50
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:48
Offensive rebound by Dylan Smith
6:44
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:42
Defensive rebound by Daejon Davis
6:33
Lost ball turnover on Jaiden Delaire, stolen by Nico Mannion
6:07
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup
22-15
6:01
Bad pass turnover on Tyrell Terry
5:50
Nico Mannion missed layup
5:48
Defensive rebound by Daejon Davis
5:45
Daejon Davis missed layup
5:44
Offensive rebound by Stanford
5:42
Personal foul on Jemarl Baker Jr.
5:42
+1
Oscar da Silva made 1st of 2 free throws
22-16
5:42
+1
Oscar da Silva made 2nd of 2 free throws
22-17
5:25
Ira Lee missed layup
5:23
Defensive rebound by Bryce Wills
5:10
Shooting foul on Nico Mannion
5:10
+1
Oscar da Silva made 1st of 2 free throws
22-18
5:10
+1
Oscar da Silva made 2nd of 2 free throws
22-19
4:56
Bad pass turnover on Ira Lee, stolen by James Keefe
4:56
Personal foul on Ira Lee
4:56
+1
James Keefe made 1st of 2 free throws
22-20
4:56
James Keefe missed 2nd of 2 free throws
4:56
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
4:34
Zeke Nnaji missed layup
4:32
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
4:34
Shooting foul on James Keefe
4:34
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
23-20
4:34
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
24-20
4:12
Lost ball turnover on Oscar da Silva, stolen by Nico Mannion
3:54
Offensive foul on Nico Mannion
3:54
Turnover on Nico Mannion
3:54
Commercial timeout called
3:36
Daejon Davis missed layup
3:34
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
3:20
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup, assist by Nico Mannion
26-20
2:52
Bryce Wills missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:50
Defensive rebound by Nico Mannion
2:45
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:43
Offensive rebound by Max Hazzard
2:39
Stone Gettings missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:38
Offensive rebound by Arizona
2:38
Personal foul on Jaiden Delaire
2:38
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
27-20
2:38
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
28-20
2:16
Tyrell Terry missed jump shot, blocked by Stone Gettings
2:14
Defensive rebound by Max Hazzard
2:08
Personal foul on Spencer Jones
2:08
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
29-20
2:08
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
30-20
1:52
+2
Bryce Wills made layup
30-22
1:52
Shooting foul on Stone Gettings
1:52
+1
Bryce Wills made free throw
30-23
1:40
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed jump shot
1:38
Offensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
1:33
Max Hazzard missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:31
Defensive rebound by Daejon Davis
1:02
Daejon Davis missed layup, blocked by Christian Koloko
1:00
Offensive rebound by Lukas Kisunas
58.0
Lukas Kisunas missed layup
57.0
Defensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
56.0
Lost ball turnover on Jemarl Baker Jr.
42.0
Lost ball turnover on Bryce Wills, stolen by Christian Koloko
13.0
Max Hazzard missed jump shot
11.0
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
2.0
Max Hazzard missed jump shot
0.0
Defensive rebound by James Keefe
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
ARIZ
Wildcats
39
STAN
Cardinal
37
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:35
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:33
Defensive rebound by Spencer Jones
19:15
Personal foul on Zeke Nnaji
19:10
+3
Spencer Jones made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Oscar da Silva
30-26
19:04
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:02
Defensive rebound by Oscar da Silva
18:54
+2
Bryce Wills made driving layup
30-28
18:34
+2
Josh Green made floating jump shot
32-28
18:22
Shooting foul on Zeke Nnaji
18:22
Oscar da Silva missed 1st of 2 free throws
18:22
+1
Oscar da Silva made 2nd of 2 free throws
32-29
18:08
Offensive foul on Zeke Nnaji
18:08
Turnover on Zeke Nnaji
17:52
Daejon Davis missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:50
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
17:40
Offensive foul on Nico Mannion
17:40
Turnover on Nico Mannion
17:07
Shot clock violation turnover on Stanford
16:40
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:38
Offensive rebound by Arizona
16:35
Offensive foul on Jemarl Baker Jr.
16:35
Turnover on Jemarl Baker Jr.
16:24
Oscar da Silva missed layup
16:22
Defensive rebound by Stone Gettings
16:00
Bad pass turnover on Josh Green, stolen by Isaac White
15:55
Lost ball turnover on Jaiden Delaire
15:55
Commercial timeout called
15:35
Shooting foul on Tyrell Terry
15:35
+1
Nico Mannion made 1st of 3 free throws
33-29
15:35
+1
Nico Mannion made 2nd of 3 free throws
34-29
15:35
+1
Nico Mannion made 3rd of 3 free throws
35-29
15:19
Tyrell Terry missed jump shot
15:17
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
15:12
Personal foul on Oscar da Silva
15:00
+2
Stone Gettings made driving layup
37-29
14:32
+2
Bryce Wills made hook shot
37-31
14:13
Shooting foul on Bryce Wills
14:13
+1
Dylan Smith made 1st of 2 free throws
38-31
14:13
+1
Dylan Smith made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-31
13:52
+2
Bryce Wills made hook shot
39-33
13:38
+2
Zeke Nnaji made jump shot, assist by Jemarl Baker Jr.
41-33
13:16
+2
Bryce Wills made driving layup
41-35
13:16
Shooting foul on Stone Gettings
13:16
Bryce Wills missed free throw
13:16
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
13:04
Nico Mannion missed jump shot
13:02
Defensive rebound by Isaac White
12:57
Spencer Jones missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:55
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
12:48
+3
Dylan Smith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Josh Green
44-35
12:23
+2
Bryce Wills made driving layup
44-37
12:23
Shooting foul on Josh Green
12:23
+1
Bryce Wills made free throw
44-38
12:14
Josh Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:12
Defensive rebound by Oscar da Silva
11:49
Lost ball turnover on Oscar da Silva, stolen by Christian Koloko
11:42
Offensive foul on Nico Mannion
11:42
Turnover on Nico Mannion
11:42
Commercial timeout called
11:31
Personal foul on Christian Koloko
11:31
+1
Oscar da Silva made 1st of 2 free throws
44-39
11:31
+1
Oscar da Silva made 2nd of 2 free throws
44-40
11:16
Shooting foul on Oscar da Silva
11:16
+1
Josh Green made 1st of 2 free throws
45-40
11:16
+1
Josh Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
46-40
10:52
+2
Bryce Wills made reverse layup
46-42
10:27
+2
Christian Koloko made dunk, assist by Josh Green
48-42
10:09
Isaac White missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:07
Defensive rebound by Christian Koloko
9:59
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed layup, blocked by Spencer Jones
9:57
Defensive rebound by Spencer Jones
9:50
Bad pass turnover on Spencer Jones, stolen by Josh Green
9:49
Personal foul on Spencer Jones
9:43
+2
Jemarl Baker Jr. made jump shot
50-42
9:17
Personal foul on Jemarl Baker Jr.
9:17
+1
Bryce Wills made 1st of 2 free throws
50-43
9:17
+1
Bryce Wills made 2nd of 2 free throws
50-44
9:04
Shooting foul on James Keefe
9:04
Zeke Nnaji missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:04
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
51-44
8:40
Spencer Jones missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:38
Defensive rebound by Christian Koloko
8:21
Personal foul on James Keefe
8:22
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
52-44
8:22
Zeke Nnaji missed 2nd of 2 free throws
8:22
Defensive rebound by Bryce Wills
8:05
Bad pass turnover on Tyrell Terry, stolen by Zeke Nnaji
7:47
Dylan Smith missed jump shot
7:45
Defensive rebound by Stanford
7:43
Commercial timeout called
7:20
Shooting foul on Christian Koloko
7:20
+1
Jaiden Delaire made 1st of 2 free throws
52-45
7:20
+1
Jaiden Delaire made 2nd of 2 free throws
52-46
7:05
Zeke Nnaji missed layup
7:03
Defensive rebound by Oscar da Silva
6:55
+2
Oscar da Silva made layup, assist by Daejon Davis
52-48
6:40
Personal foul on Daejon Davis
6:41
+1
Josh Green made 1st of 2 free throws
53-48
6:41
+1
Josh Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
54-48
6:20
Jaiden Delaire missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:18
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
6:18
Lost ball turnover on Stone Gettings
6:05
Bad pass turnover on Oscar da Silva, stolen by Josh Green
5:59
+2
Josh Green made dunk
56-48
5:46
+2
Bryce Wills made reverse layup
56-50
5:30
+3
Dylan Smith made 3-pt. jump shot
59-50
5:04
Oscar da Silva missed jump shot
5:02
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
4:46
+2
Stone Gettings made layup
61-50
4:46
Shooting foul on Jaiden Delaire
4:46
30-second timeout called
4:46
Commercial timeout called
4:46
Stone Gettings missed free throw
4:46
Defensive rebound by Isaac White
4:27
+2
Bryce Wills made driving layup
61-52
4:07
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup, assist by Josh Green
63-52
3:42
Personal foul on Zeke Nnaji
3:42
Commercial timeout called
3:42
+1
Oscar da Silva made 1st of 2 free throws
63-53
3:42
+1
Oscar da Silva made 2nd of 2 free throws
63-54
3:26
Shooting foul on Spencer Jones
3:26
+1
Josh Green made 1st of 2 free throws
64-54
3:26
+1
Josh Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
65-54
3:03
Bad pass turnover on Bryce Wills, stolen by Christian Koloko
2:40
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:38
Defensive rebound by Bryce Wills
2:43
Personal foul on Josh Green
2:43
Bryce Wills missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:43
+1
Bryce Wills made 2nd of 2 free throws
65-55
2:12
Shot clock violation turnover on Arizona
2:00
Daejon Davis missed layup
1:58
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
1:34
+2
Nico Mannion made floating jump shot
67-55
1:24
Oscar da Silva missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:22
Offensive rebound by Isaac White
1:22
+3
Isaac White made 3-pt. jump shot
67-58
1:16
30-second timeout called
1:08
Personal foul on Isaac White
1:08
+1
Dylan Smith made 1st of 2 free throws
68-58
1:08
Dylan Smith missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:08
Defensive rebound by Oscar da Silva
56.0
Isaac White missed 3-pt. jump shot
54.0
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
53.0
Personal foul on Isaac White
53.0
Zeke Nnaji missed 1st of 2 free throws
53.0
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
69-58
47.0
Bryce Wills missed layup, blocked by Josh Green
45.0
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
42.0
Jumpball received by Stanford
42.0
Lost ball turnover on Josh Green, stolen by Isaac White