No. 19 Arizona runs past short-handed New Mexico State 83-53
AP
Nov 17, 2019
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Arizona Wildcats big man Zeke Nnaji is starting to get noticed around campus, coffee shops, almost everywhere he goes in Tucson.
The rest of the college basketball world is paying attention now, too. Not bad for a player who didn't get the same acclaim as freshman teammates Nico Mannion and Josh Green.
Zeke Nnaji did not miss a shot for the second straight game while scoring 19 points, Jemarl Baker added 16 points and No. 19 Arizona rolled over depleted New Mexico St. Aggieste 83-53 on Sunday.
''Zeke's off to a really good start,'' Arizona coach Sean Miller said. ''You didn't hear his name as much maybe before the year as some of the other guys we have here, but for a four-star recruit, he's doing exceptionally well.''
Arizona (4-0) took advantage of the short-handed Aggies (2-2) from the start, scoring the game's first 10 points and using another big run to lead by 22 at halftime.
The Wildcats were at their free-flowing offensive best, shooting 53%, and shut down a New Mexico State team missing three key players.
''Even people who are playing have injuries,'' said New Mexico State's Trevelin Queen, who had 12 points. ''Even when we're full strength, we're still going to face adversity, but I feel like we're stronger when everyone is healthy, but we can't do anything about it.''
Baker provided Arizona with a nice lift off the bench with his confident shooting and Mannion added 15 points.
Nnaji dominated the first half before New Mexico State started collapsing on him in the second.
The 6-foot-11 freshman made all seven of his shots after going 8 for 8 against San Jose State and is 32 for 38 in four games this season. He's made 17 straight shots, dating to the second half of last Sunday's game against Illinois.
''I always have confidence whenever I shoot the ball,'' Nnaji said. ''I wouldn't shoot it if I didn't have confidence in it and it's shot that I work on in practice.''
Outside of a Dec. 14 game against No. 8 Gonzaga, Sunday's game against the Aggies was expected to be the Wildcats' biggest remaining test before the Pac-12 season starts.
One problem: New Mexico State came to the desert short-handed.
The Aggies were without point guard A.J. Harris (finger), guard Clayton Henry (thumb) and big man Wilfried Lakayi (knee). Terrell Brown also has been struggling with a strained hip flexor and Rice suffered a sprained left wrist against Southern on Thursday.
The attrition hurt the Aggies at the start against Arizona.
New Mexico missed six shots and had two turnovers before making its first shot 5:20 into the game.
The Aggies fought back with an 8-0 run, but Arizona answered with a 15-2 spurt to start the rout. The Wildcats made 18 of 31 shots to lead 43-21 at halftime.
The Aggies shot 8 of 26, had 12 turnovers and were the latest team unable to stop Nnaji, who had 15 points and made all seven of his shots in the first half.
''They're a lot bigger than us, stronger, more athletic, so it did kind of bother us,'' said Jabari Rice, who led New Mexico State with 14 points. ''We just have to play harder, play better and get off to a better start.''
BIG PICTURE
New Mexico State might have had a chance to push Arizona at full strength. The injuries made that a near-impossibility.
Arizona did not get the test it expected due to New Mexico State's injuries, but it still kept up its high level of early-season play.
BAKER'S LIFT
Baker had a quiet start after transferring from Kentucky, scoring 20 combined points the first three games. He played confidently against New Mexico State, hitting 6 of 9 from the floor and 4 of 6 from 3-point range.
''Felt like a rhythm, just from warmups,'' Baker said. ''People were giving me the ball when I was open and I wanted to do everything I could to be aggressive and help the team win.''
MANNION'S T
Mannion spent most the afternoon trying to fight through New Mexico's aggressive defense and the occasional trash talk by the Aggies' guards.
Mannion plays with a fiery intensity and it boiled over in the second half, when he was called for a technical foul for trash talking New Mexico's Shunn Buchanan after a made basket.
''I don't think he really wanted to pick up a technical as much as the guy was really challenging him,'' Miller said. ''He met the challenge. Sometimes that happens. He'll learn from it.''
UP NEXT
New Mexico State hosts rival New Mexico on Thursday.
Arizona hosts South Dakota State on Thursday.
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Copyright 2019 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
NMST
Aggies
21
ARIZ
Wildcats
43
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by New Mexico St.
19:44
Terrell Brown missed jump shot, blocked by Zeke Nnaji
19:42
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
19:24
Dylan Smith missed jump shot
19:22
Defensive rebound by Trevelin Queen
19:05
Ivan Aurrecoechea missed layup
19:03
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
19:03
Personal foul on C.J. Bobbitt
18:51
Josh Green missed layup, blocked by Trevelin Queen
18:49
Offensive rebound by Chase Jeter
18:42
+2
Zeke Nnaji made dunk
0-2
18:19
Personal foul on Josh Green
18:18
Personal foul on Nico Mannion
18:13
Trevelin Queen missed jump shot
18:11
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
17:57
Chase Jeter missed jump shot
17:55
Offensive rebound by Arizona
17:47
+3
Nico Mannion made 3-pt. jump shot
0-5
17:14
Jumpball received by Arizona
17:14
Lost ball turnover on Terrell Brown, stolen by Zeke Nnaji
16:58
+2
Chase Jeter made dunk, assist by Nico Mannion
0-7
16:40
Jumpball received by New Mexico St.
16:30
Terrell Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:28
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
16:23
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:21
Offensive rebound by Arizona
19:21
Personal foul on Ivan Aurrecoechea
16:10
+3
Dylan Smith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nico Mannion
0-10
15:54
Ivan Aurrecoechea missed layup
15:52
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
15:37
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:35
Defensive rebound by Ivan Aurrecoechea
15:27
Personal foul on Chase Jeter
15:19
Terrell Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:17
Offensive rebound by Trevelin Queen
15:10
5-second inbounding violation turnover on New Mexico St.
14:56
Lost ball turnover on Zeke Nnaji
14:39
+2
Trevelin Queen made layup
2-10
14:27
Josh Green missed jump shot
14:25
Defensive rebound by Terrell Brown
14:08
Shunn Buchanan missed layup
14:06
Offensive rebound by New Mexico St.
14:08
Personal foul on Ira Lee
13:55
Shawn Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:53
Offensive rebound by Trevelin Queen
13:47
Trevelin Queen missed layup
13:45
Defensive rebound by Max Hazzard
13:30
+3
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Max Hazzard
2-13
13:11
+2
Shawn Williams made layup
4-13
12:58
+2
Jemarl Baker Jr. made jump shot
4-15
12:42
+3
Trevelin Queen made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ivan Aurrecoechea
7-15
12:25
Lost ball turnover on Devonaire Doutrive
15:06
+2
Johnny McCants made dunk, assist by Shawn Williams
9-15
15:41
Ira Lee missed hook shot
15:39
Defensive rebound by Johnny McCants
11:31
+3
Trevelin Queen made 3-pt. jump shot
12-15
11:12
Stone Gettings missed jump shot
11:10
Defensive rebound by Trevelin Queen
10:51
Jumpball received by Arizona
10:51
Lost ball turnover on Jabari Rice, stolen by Jemarl Baker Jr.
10:39
+2
Jemarl Baker Jr. made jump shot
12-17
10:20
Shawn Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot, blocked by Stone Gettings
10:18
Offensive rebound by New Mexico St.
10:09
Jabari Rice missed layup, blocked by Dylan Smith
10:07
Offensive rebound by C.J. Bobbitt
10:05
Shot clock violation turnover on New Mexico St.
9:49
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup
12-19
9:31
Bad pass turnover on Trevelin Queen
9:11
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup
12-21
9:01
C.J. Bobbitt missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:59
Offensive rebound by Ivan Aurrecoechea
8:52
Lost ball turnover on Ivan Aurrecoechea, stolen by Nico Mannion
8:44
Lost ball turnover on Zeke Nnaji, stolen by Terrell Brown
8:39
+2
Ivan Aurrecoechea made layup, assist by Shunn Buchanan
14-21
8:19
+2
Zeke Nnaji made dunk, assist by Josh Green
14-23
8:14
Personal foul on Chase Jeter
8:12
C.J. Bobbitt missed jump shot
8:11
Offensive rebound by New Mexico St.
8:00
Trevelin Queen missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:58
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
7:48
+2
Josh Green made jump shot
14-25
7:25
Personal foul on Zeke Nnaji
7:25
Personal foul on Nico Mannion
7:25
Johnny McCants missed free throw
7:25
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
7:12
Offensive foul on Chase Jeter
7:12
Turnover on Chase Jeter
6:57
Bad pass turnover on Ivan Aurrecoechea
6:32
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:30
Offensive rebound by Arizona
6:28
Personal foul on Trevelin Queen
6:16
+2
Zeke Nnaji made jump shot, assist by Max Hazzard
14-27
6:04
Traveling violation turnover on Shunn Buchanan
5:53
+2
Josh Green made layup
14-29
5:53
Shooting foul on Johnny McCants
5:53
+1
Josh Green made free throw
14-30
5:32
+2
Trevelin Queen made dunk
16-30
5:10
+2
Zeke Nnaji made hook shot
16-32
4:55
Personal foul on Max Hazzard
4:55
+1
Terrell Brown made 1st of 2 free throws
17-32
4:55
+1
Terrell Brown made 2nd of 2 free throws
18-32
4:37
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed jump shot
4:35
Defensive rebound by Johnny McCants
4:28
Trevelin Queen missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:26
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
4:20
Josh Green missed layup
4:18
Defensive rebound by Johnny McCants
4:08
Lost ball turnover on Shunn Buchanan, stolen by Jemarl Baker Jr.
3:54
Ira Lee missed hook shot
3:52
Defensive rebound by Johnny McCants
3:26
+3
Shawn Williams made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Johnny McCants
21-32
2:54
+3
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Max Hazzard
21-35
2:30
Bad pass turnover on Terrell Brown
2:12
Stone Gettings missed jump shot
2:10
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
2:10
+2
Zeke Nnaji made tip-in
21-37
2:10
Shooting foul on Trevelin Queen
2:10
+1
Zeke Nnaji made free throw
21-38
1:53
Bad pass turnover on Terrell Brown, stolen by Stone Gettings
1:48
Bad pass turnover on Stone Gettings
1:29
Jumpball received by New Mexico St.
1:22
Trevelin Queen missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:20
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
1:17
Offensive foul on Josh Green
1:17
Turnover on Josh Green
1:11
Terrell Brown missed layup, blocked by Zeke Nnaji
1:09
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
1:00
+2
Stone Gettings made layup
21-40
1:00
Shooting foul on Ivan Aurrecoechea
1:00
+1
Stone Gettings made free throw
21-41
43.0
Backcourt turnover on Terrell Brown
39.0
+2
Devonaire Doutrive made layup
21-43
2.0
Shawn Williams missed jump shot
1.0
Defensive rebound by Max Hazzard
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
NMST
Aggies
32
ARIZ
Wildcats
40
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:51
Josh Green missed jump shot
19:49
Defensive rebound by Terrell Brown
19:33
+2
Ivan Aurrecoechea made layup
23-43
19:20
Lost ball turnover on Chase Jeter
19:02
Shooting foul on Zeke Nnaji
19:02
+1
C.J. Bobbitt made 1st of 2 free throws
24-43
18:57
C.J. Bobbitt missed 2nd of 2 free throws
18:57
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
18:42
+2
Nico Mannion made jump shot
24-45
18:22
Terrell Brown missed layup
18:20
Defensive rebound by Arizona
18:04
+3
Dylan Smith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Chase Jeter
24-48
17:51
Terrell Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:49
Offensive rebound by Shunn Buchanan
17:42
+3
Terrell Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shunn Buchanan
27-48
17:21
+2
Chase Jeter made layup
27-50
16:59
Terrell Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:57
Offensive rebound by Trevelin Queen
16:49
Trevelin Queen missed layup
16:47
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
16:31
+3
Nico Mannion made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Josh Green
27-53
16:27
Bad pass turnover on Terrell Brown
16:09
+3
Nico Mannion made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Josh Green
27-56
16:14
Unsportsmanlike technical foul on Nico Mannion
16:14
+1
Terrell Brown made 1st of 2 free throws
28-56
16:07
Terrell Brown missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:59
Offensive rebound by New Mexico St.
15:59
Bad pass turnover on Shunn Buchanan
15:52
Personal foul on Trevelin Queen
15:45
Bad pass turnover on Josh Green
15:29
Ivan Aurrecoechea missed hook shot
15:27
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
15:10
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:08
Defensive rebound by New Mexico St.
14:52
Trevelin Queen missed 3-pt. jump shot, blocked by Josh Green
14:50
Defensive rebound by Nico Mannion
14:42
+2
Nico Mannion made jump shot
28-58
14:17
+3
C.J. Bobbitt made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shunn Buchanan
31-58
13:52
Personal foul on C.J. Bobbitt
13:45
Stone Gettings missed jump shot
13:43
Defensive rebound by Shunn Buchanan
13:34
C.J. Bobbitt missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:32
Defensive rebound by Ira Lee
13:23
Shooting foul on Shawn Williams
13:23
+1
Nico Mannion made 1st of 2 free throws
31-59
13:23
+1
Nico Mannion made 2nd of 2 free throws
31-60
13:02
+3
Jabari Rice made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shawn Williams
34-60
12:41
+3
Max Hazzard made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Devonaire Doutrive
34-63
12:24
Personal foul on Ira Lee
12:11
Shawn Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:09
Defensive rebound by Ira Lee
12:00
+2
Ira Lee made dunk, assist by Jemarl Baker Jr.
34-65
11:39
Shooting foul on Ira Lee
11:39
+1
C.J. Bobbitt made 1st of 2 free throws
35-65
11:39
+1
C.J. Bobbitt made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-65
11:16
Ira Lee missed hook shot
11:14
Defensive rebound by Johnny McCants
11:01
+2
Shawn Williams made layup
38-65
10:48
Personal foul on Jabari Rice
10:43
+3
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Max Hazzard
38-68
10:17
Jabari Rice missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:15
Defensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
10:04
Max Hazzard missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:02
Defensive rebound by Shawn Williams
9:46
Johnny McCants missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:44
Offensive rebound by New Mexico St.
9:39
Lost ball turnover on Trevelin Queen
9:26
+3
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Devonaire Doutrive
38-71
9:26
Offensive foul on Shawn Williams
9:26
Turnover on Shawn Williams
9:03
Lost ball turnover on Zeke Nnaji, stolen by Jabari Rice
9:00
Shooting foul on Max Hazzard
9:00
+1
Jabari Rice made 1st of 2 free throws
39-71
9:00
+1
Jabari Rice made 2nd of 2 free throws
40-71
8:47
Max Hazzard missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:45
Defensive rebound by Jabari Rice
8:33
Shawn Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:31
Defensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
7:53
Devonaire Doutrive missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:53
Defensive rebound by William McNair
7:51
C.J. Bobbitt missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:29
Defensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
7:53
Shooting foul on William McNair
7:53
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
40-72
7:53
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
40-73
7:35
+3
Jabari Rice made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by C.J. Bobbitt
43-73
7:24
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:22
Defensive rebound by Shawn Williams
7:16
Personal foul on Nico Mannion
7:07
Trevelin Queen missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:05
Offensive rebound by Trevelin Queen
6:57
Shawn Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:55
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
6:53
Bad pass turnover on Nico Mannion
6:33
William McNair missed jump shot
6:31
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
6:24
Josh Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:22
Defensive rebound by New Mexico St.
5:54
+2
Trevelin Queen made jump shot
45-73
5:37
Bad pass turnover on Josh Green
5:20
Lost ball turnover on Shawn Williams
4:58
Dylan Smith missed jump shot
4:56
Defensive rebound by Robert Brown
4:46
Dajour Joseph missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:46
Offensive rebound by Jabari Rice
4:46
Shawn Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:44
Offensive rebound by Trevelin Queen
4:44
Trevelin Queen missed jump shot
4:44
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
4:25
Personal foul on Dajour Joseph
4:25
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
45-74
4:25
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
45-75
3:59
Offensive foul on Trevelin Queen
3:59
Turnover on Trevelin Queen
3:52
Bad pass turnover on Nico Mannion
3:43
+3
Jabari Rice made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Trevelin Queen
48-75
3:16
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:14
Offensive rebound by Stone Gettings
3:06
+2
Stone Gettings made layup
48-77
3:01
Out of bounds turnover on Dajour Joseph
2:44
Personal foul on Jabari Rice
2:45
+1
Ira Lee made 1st of 2 free throws
48-78
2:45
Ira Lee missed 2nd of 2 free throws
2:44
Offensive rebound by Stone Gettings
2:38
Max Hazzard missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:36
Offensive rebound by Josh Green
2:35
Shooting foul on Robert Brown
2:35
+1
Josh Green made 1st of 2 free throws
48-79
2:35
+1
Josh Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
48-80
2:22
Shooting foul on Stone Gettings
2:22
Jabari Rice missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:22
Jabari Rice missed 2nd of 2 free throws
2:22
Defensive rebound by Ira Lee
2:11
Personal foul on Jabari Rice
2:11
Devonaire Doutrive missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:11
+1
Devonaire Doutrive made 2nd of 2 free throws
48-81
1:44
William McNair missed layup, blocked by Stone Gettings