Wildcats edge UNLV, eye the top spot in the country

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


On a night when the shots weren't falling, the second-ranked Arizona Wildcats find a way to win.

The Wildcats edge UNLV, 63-58, thanks to the second-half play by point-guard T.J. McConnell at McKale today to improve to 9-0 on the season and should be awarded the No. 1 spot  in the country when the next AP Poll is released on Monday.

It wasn't easy disposing of UNLV as the Wildcats shot 41 percent from the field, making 28 of 67 shots and were forced to battle back after being down 42-39 at the half. With McConnell at the helm, the Wildcats outscored the Running Rebels in the second half 24-16. McConnell finished with 13 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Brandon Ashley chipped in 13 points as well, while Kaleb Tarczewski and Nick Johnson added 12 apiece. Johnson was 4 of 15 from the field. Aaron Gordon went 2 of 10 from the field for four points, but hauled in eight rebounds to tie Tarczewski in that category.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson came off the bench once again and filled the stats sheet with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Congrats, to the No. 1 Wildcats!