Field Level Media
Nov 17, 2019
Arizona freshman Zeke Nnaji had 19 points in another perfect shooting game, and Kentucky transfer Jemarl Baker had a career-high 16 points off the bench as the No. 19 Wildcats stifled New Mexico State 83-53 on Sunday in Tucson, Ariz.
Freshman Nico Mannion had 15 points and three 3-pointers, and Chase Jeter had eight rebounds for the Wildcats (4-0), who forced the Aggies into more turnovers (20) than they had field goals (18).
Jabari Rice had 14 points and four 3-pointers, and Trevelin Queen had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Aggies (2-2), who won 30 games last season and are the WAC coaches' preseason pick to win the league.
Nnaji, a 6-foot-11 center, made all seven of his field goals attempts and is 33-of-39 from the floor this season. He has made his past 17 attempts -- all eight in an 87-39 victory over San Jose State on Thursday and the final two of a 90-69 win over Illinois last Sunday.
Baker made 4 of 6 shots from beyond the arc.
Arizona was dominant from the outset, using 13-2 and 15-2 runs to take control midway through the first half before closing on an 11-0 spurt for a 43-21 lead. The Wildcats led by as many as 33 points while starting 4-0 for the ninth time in 10 seasons.
The Wildcats shot 52.6 percent from the field, 58.1 in the first half, and made 10 of 21 3-point shots. The Aggies shot 32.7 percent and were 9 of 30 from 3-point range.
Mannion had a 3-pointer and a pair of assists, and Dylan Smith made a 3-pointer when Arizona took a 13-2 lead. Nnaji had eight points in the 15-2 run that gave the Wildcats 30-14 edge. Baker made a 3-pointer and graduate transfer Stone Gettings had a three-point play in the 11-0 run to end the half.
--Field Level Media