Arizona 77–51 Cincinnati: Krivas and Kharchenkov Dominate Inside as No. 1 Wildcats Pull Away
Cincinnati vs Arizona turned into a showcase for the No. 1 Wildcats, who pulled away in the second half for a 77–51 win at McKale Center, remaining unbeaten at 19–0 (6–0 Big 12). The Bearcats hung tough for a half but could not match Arizona’s length, depth, and transition attack.
Motiejus Krivas led the way with 17 points, while Ivan Kharchenkov added 14, as Arizona converted a tight first half into a comfortable blowout over the final 15 minutes.
First Half: Bearcats Keep It Close
The early stages of Cincinnati vs Arizona were competitive:
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Arizona led for much of the first half, but Cincinnati repeatedly trimmed the margin.
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At one point, after trailing since 19:33 of the first half, the Bearcats tied it 16–16 with under 10 minutes left.
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Arizona gradually reasserted control with strong interior play and fast-break scoring.
Halftime score: Arizona 33 – 27 Cincinnati
Cincinnati showed effort and toughness, but Arizona’s size and rotations began to disrupt the Bearcats’ offensive rhythm, making a second-half surge inevitable.
Second Half: Wildcats’ 44–24 Surge Seals the Win
The game flipped decisively after halftime:
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Arizona outscored Cincinnati 44–24 in the second half, steadily extending the lead into double digits and beyond.
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Points in the paint: 48
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Second-chance points: 18
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Fast-break points: 14
Cincinnati’s offense stalled after the break, never finding a consistent rhythm against the Wildcats’ help defense. By the final media timeout, the game had shifted from a competitive first half to a statement win for the top-ranked team.
Box Score Highlights
Arizona Wildcats (77)
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Motiejus Krivas: 17 points – key inside finishing and paint dominance
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Ivan Kharchenkov: 14 points – versatile scorer stretching the defense
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Arizona’s interior dominance: 48 paint points, 18 second-chance points, 14 fast-break points
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Only 3 ties and 2 lead changes highlight how Arizona controlled the game
Cincinnati Bearcats (51)
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27 first-half points, 24 second-half points
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No sustained runs after the break
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Fell to 10–9 (2–4 Big 12), struggling to maintain offensive consistency against elite defenses
Scoring by Half
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 27 | 24 | 51 |
| Arizona | 33 | 44 | 77 |
Takeaways From Cincinnati vs Arizona
Arizona’s unbeaten machine:
At 19–0, 6–0 Big 12, the Wildcats continue to look like a No. 1 seed and title favorite, using size, rebounding, and rim pressure to overwhelm opponents.
Frontcourt advantage:
Krivas and Kharchenkov symbolize Arizona’s matchup problem, combining for 48 points in the paint and 18 second-chance points.
Cincinnati’s offensive ceiling:
The Bearcats defended well early but lack the scoring depth and shot creation to sustain a challenge against top-ranked teams for 40 minutes.