Angry Wildcats devour Trojans

The sixth-ranked Arizona Wildcats left McKale Center on Thursday angry with themselves. They had just lost at home to UCLA. The Wildcats hadn't lost at home all season and had suffered just one loss overall -- a four-point loss at Oregon earlier this month. So, when USC came to town today the angry Wildcats were ready to pounce. And pounce they did! The Wildcats held the Trojans to just seven field goals in the first half and enjoyed a lopsided 39-20 lead at intermission. It was more of the same in the second half and the Wildcats cleared the bench en route to a 74-50 Pac-12 win.

The Wildcats cleared the bench late in the second half as 14 players saw action. Four Wildcats finished in double figures. Nick Johnson netted 14, Solomon Hill 13, Brandon Ashley 11 and Kaleb Tarczewski 10. Mark Lyons scored nine points, dished out four assists and grabbed four rebounds.

Gabe York came off the bench and got in some playing time. York hit two buckets from beyond the three-point line and finished with seven points. Kevin Parrom scored six points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. The Wildcats were sharp on the defensive side of the ball as they held the Trojans to 28 percent from the field (18 for 64).

Arizona improves to 17-2 overall  and 5-2 in the Pac-12 standings.