Arizona Wildcats' Offensive Surge Overwhelms South Dakota State Jackrabbits at McKale Center

The Arizona Wildcats improved their record to 12-1 with a commanding victory over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, who fell to 8-5. The final score was 99-71 in favor of the Cats, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive resilience.

First Half

The first half saw the Wildcats establish an early lead, scoring 51 points against the Jackrabbits' 35. Koa Peat was instrumental in this period, contributing significantly with his scoring and rebounding efforts. His field goal percentage stood at an impressive 58 percent, highlighting his efficiency on the court. The Cats dominated in assists as well, recording a total of 26 by game's end compared to South Dakota State's 16.

Second Half

In the second half, Arizona continued their relentless pace. Jaden Bradley's playmaking skills were on full display as he dished out numerous assists while maintaining a high assist-to-turnover ratio of 10.0. Motiejus Krivas also made his presence felt defensively with six blocks that stifled any potential comeback from the Jackrabbits.

South Dakota State Performance

Despite their loss, South Dakota State had moments of brilliance with a three-point shooting accuracy of 46 percent and managed to score consistently in both halves. However, they struggled inside the paint against Arizona's formidable defense led by Krivas.

Final Thoughts

The game’s turning point came when Arizona went on a run that extended their lead significantly during the second half—an effort that left little room for recovery for South Dakota State. This decisive stretch underscored why many consider them one of this season’s top teams.

In post-game reactions from Arizona Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd expressed satisfaction with his team's performance but emphasized areas needing improvement ahead of future matchups.

Fans can look forward to seeing more action as U of A faces Utah Runnin' Utes next at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on January 3rd at noon EST; catch it live via Peacock Internet broadcast network!

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